The Ministry of Justice has developed a draft amendment to the Law on the Judiciary, aimed at improving the procedures for the election of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and the Inspectorate under it. The draft will be submitted for consideration by the regular government.

Acting Minister of Justice Andrey Yankulov proposes the introduction of an expert element in the parliamentary procedure for the election of members of the SJC and judicial inspectors. The creation of a special commission is envisaged, composed of professionals who will provide a professional assessment of the candidates. The commission will be formed by institutions such as the general assemblies of the Supreme Courts, the President, the Ombudsman, and the Supreme Bar Council. They will prepare profiles of the candidates.

It is also proposed to create a second temporary commission, which will check the property declarations of the candidates, composed of representatives of institutions and professional organizations with expertise in financial analysis. The commission will verify the declarations for authenticity and to identify any unexplained transactions.

Regarding the judicial quota, it is envisaged that the property declarations of the candidates will also be checked, and this will be done by the Inspectorate under the SJC.

The Minister of Justice will have the right to challenge the acts of the SJC in court in order to fill a void in judicial control.

Rumen Radev from “Progressive Bulgaria” expects the parties to fulfill their commitment to replace the SJC.