Citizens gathered in front of the Courthouse in Sofia in protest,demanding that the procedures for electing a new chief prosecutor and president of the supreme Administrative Court (SAC) be terminated. The event is titled “#Who Regroups the Attorney Generals”, organized by the “justice for Everyone” Initiative. There is an increased police presence in the area.
This is the fifth such event.The organizers announced that there will be protests every Wednesday until december 18. Thay also urged those present to bring lamps, lanterns or candles to “illuminate the dark corridors and windows of parallel power”. according to the protesters, the procedures for electing the chief prosecutor and the chairman of the Supreme Administrative Court are illegitimate because they are carried out by a body whose mandate has expired.
There is nothing more critically important in a parliamentary republic than having a functioning parliament. We expect that the Speaker of the National Assembly will be elected as soon as possible, that the permanent commissions will start working and that the draft law will be passed to end the election of Borislav Sarafov as the chief prosecutor, saeid lawyer Velislav Velichkov, chairman of “Justice for Everyone”. .
According to him, the Supreme Judicial Council with zero public trust and whose mandate expired more than two years ago cannot choose the only candidate for the chief prosecutor, and the parliament should stop the procedures for the election of the chief prosecutor and the chairman of the Supreme Court.
“People don’t want to experience the Geshev case a second time. Then there were a lot more people who opposed the selection of the only candidate and then his resignation. People want a transparent and clear prosecutor’s office,in which the chief prosecutor does not behave like a politician and there is real,not electoral justice,” said lawyer Velichkov.
Today, the Prosecution College of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJSC) accepted the reports of the Commission on Attestation and Competitions (KAC) and the Commission on Professional Ethics (CPE) regarding Borislav Sarafov, who is a candidate for chief prosecutor. So Sarafov was admitted to the hearing on January 16.
GERB-SDS will submit the questions to the Constitutional Court (CS). This is what GERB leader Boyko borisov told journalists in parliament today. According to him, one question is about the rights of the deputies, and the othre – whether the SJC with an expired mandate can conduct a procedure for electing a new chief prosecutor and chairman of the SAC.
Yesterday, the Committee on Attestation and Competitions and the Committee on Professional Ethics of the Prosecution college of the SJC accepted that Borislav Sarafov meets all the requirements to be elected chief prosecutor.
In his concept, Sarafov bets on countering organized crime, corruption crimes and those related to transport trauma and domestic violence. He expresses confidence that the prosecutor’s office will be the initiator of joint actions with the Ministry of the Interior, with the other special services and with the control institutions, proactively and as an inevitable result of its analytical activity motivating them to work more energetically and by giving a procedural direction to their work.
A week ago, the Judicial College of the SJC decided by seven to three votes to propose to the Plenum of the SJC to open a new procedure for electing the president of the Supreme Administrative Court. The collegium proposes that the new procedure begin on November 21, and that proposals for candidates can be made in the next four sessions of the SJC Plenum.The election of the chairman is scheduled to take place again on March 20. The first announced procedure failed due to a lack of candidates, BTA reported.
What are the key issues driving the #whoregroups the Attorney Generals protests in Bulgaria?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Legal Expert Dr. Elena Ivanova
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, Dr. Elena Ivanova.Thank you for joining us today to discuss the ongoing protests in Sofia. Can you shed some light on the importance of the current demonstrations, especially with the event titled “#Who regroups the Attorney Generals”?
Dr. Ivanova: Thank you for having me. The #WhoRegroups the Attorney generals protest that we’re witnessing in Sofia highlights public frustration with the judicial appointment process in Bulgaria. Citizens are rallying against the government’s methods for electing a new chief prosecutor and the president of the Supreme Administrative Court. These positions have substantial influence over the justice system, and many people are concerned about the potential for overwhelming political interference.
Editor: It’s interesting to see citizens mobilizing in such large numbers. This is the fifth week of protests, correct? What has kept the momentum going?
Dr. Ivanova: Yes, that’s right. The persistence of these demonstrations reflects a deep-rooted concern among Bulgarians regarding the integrity of the judicial system. The organizers, particularly the “Justice for Everyone” initiative, have effectively created a platform for citizens to voice their demands for accountability and openness. The call to bring lamps, lanterns, or candles symbolizes their desire to shed light on what they perceive to be the ‘dark corridors of power,’ metaphorically illuminating corrupt practices.
Editor: Ther’s been an increased police presence at these protests. How is that impacting the dynamics between the protesters and law enforcement?
Dr. Ivanova: Increased police presence can often create an atmosphere of tension. While security forces are there to maintain order, it can also send a message of intimidation to the protesters. However, in this case, it seems citizens are persistent to continue their peaceful demonstrations. The organizers have explicitly stated their intentions to continue protesting every Wednesday untill December 18, showing resilience despite potential pushback from authorities.
Editor: It sounds like the demonstrators are creating a robust dialog about justice in Bulgaria. What do you think the long-term implications of these protests might be?
Dr. Ivanova: Long-term,these protests could catalyze significant reforms in Bulgaria’s judicial system.If the government perceives a sustained public outcry, it may be compelled to revisit how judicial appointments are made. Furthermore, it could encourage broader civic engagement, with citizens becoming more involved in activism and oversight of governmental processes. The hope is that increased transparency will eventually led to a more trustful relationship between the public and the institutions meant to serve them.
Editor: Very insightful. Before we wrap up, do you have any predictions on how this situation might evolve in the coming weeks or months?
Dr.Ivanova: It’s arduous to predict specifics, but if the protests maintain their momentum, we might see some movement from the government in terms of dialogue or proposed changes to the selection processes for judicial positions. However, if the protests are met with further resistance, it could lead to escalating tensions. Ultimately, the key will be whether the voices of the people are heard and taken seriously by those in power.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Ivanova,for your expertise and insights. It’s clear that the situation in Bulgaria is complex and evolving. We’ll be following this story closely.
Dr. Ivanova: Thank you for having me. It’s essential to keep this conversation going.