2024-07-09 10:19:38
The final decision will be taken by the Parliament, depending on the opinion of the Central Bank’s Board of Directors and the Supreme Court’s decision on the appeal of the Deputy Governor
On July 16, the Governing Board of the BNB will make a decision on the case involving Deputy Governor Andrey Gyurov. This was reported by the governor of the central bank, Dimitar Radev, in an interview with BTA.
He became entangled after the Anti-Corruption Commission issued a decision on Gyurov’s incompatibility with the position he held in the central bank, which he is currently appealing.
“The bank’s board of directors is obliged to initiate proceedings and rule on the case within two weeks, but no later than the first regular meeting of the board, which is on July 16,” clarifies Radev.
By law, the Board of Directors cannot fail to recognize an act of a competent institution, such as the Antimonopoly Commission, Radev also says. And he explains that “such a development would have not only legal but also political dimensions in the context of political debates about regulatory and law enforcement authorities. Getting involved in such political debates is unacceptable for an independent, professional and depoliticized institution such as the BNB”.
However, the governing body of the central bank must assess the commission’s decision whether and to what extent it is grounds for the release of its member, which is carried out according to the procedure under Art. 14, para. 2 of the Law on the BNB, which was introduced with one of the last amendments to the law.
This article provides for early release in two cases: if he does not meet the requirements necessary to fulfill his duties, or if he is found guilty of a serious offense.
In turn, the person affected by the decision cannot be released early from his position without a decision of the competent court, in this case the Supreme Administrative Court, Radev explains the procedure.
And he summarizes: a decision to release Gyurov can be taken “only by the election body, which is the parliament.” The BNB only establishes whether the existence of incompatibility is grounds for the dismissal of its member”.
From which it follows that “if the court rules against the act of release, Mr. Gyurov will continue his mandate, if the act of release is confirmed, he will be submitted for a final decision by the parliament”.
In conclusion, the governor adds that since the decision of this case will set a “precedent for the resolution of similar cases in the future… serious efforts are being made with BNB lawyers and in consultation with leading lawyers outside the bank that our participation in this process will be flawless from a legal point of view.
Again, according to the law, Gyurov himself will participate in the meeting of the Board of Directors on July 16, but he has no right to vote.