Yanaki Stoilov: Constitutional Amendments Are Not on the Agenda

There are no constitutional changes on the agenda. This was stated by constitutional judge Yanaki Stoilov.

According to him, in order to change the model of governance, with which people are massively dissatisfied, there must be honest and free elections.

Prof. Yanaki Stoilov, constitutional judge: "The system is formally democratic, but in essence it is oligarchic. In these mass protests, calls were mainly heard for the removal of the current model of governance and those who embody it, but we must clearly name the features of this model. This model includes high levels of corruption, a decrease in professionalism in governance, the transformation of regulators into an appendage of political power, a decrease in the independence of the judicial system, the participation of parties that are defined as incompatible before elections, and then enter into alliances, sharing power."

Regarding the latest constitutional changes, Stoilov said:

"After the last amendment, the Constitution does not guarantee the realization of the function of the president in forming a caretaker cabinet. In my opinion, there is another harmful effect, that for positions that require certain professional and other qualities, people are sought who are seen as potential candidates for a completely different role that must be performed. After the New Year, exploratory mandates for forming a government are forthcoming. If the parties confirm these positions, which they have already expressed, then the next phase will be reached - consultations for the formation of a caretaker cabinet. Whether there will be a candidate who is able to offer a composition of a government that can be appointed, it is too early to speculate. In any case, I will not engage in discussing hypotheses that may turn into a real constitutional case."

The organization and control over the election process are important, the constitutional judge pointed out.

"In the decision of the Constitutional Court in connection with the submitted complaints, a number of violations were established, which relate to the organization, conduct and reporting of the election results. Often the attention is focused on the technology by which voting takes place. I must point out that there is no technology that cannot be corrupted by those who apply it, but still there are those that are more difficult to manipulate. And that is why it is important how voting takes place, but it is more important what the organization and control over the election process is, i.e. how the participants, who are assigned certain powers, act and especially what is voted for. Somehow, along with the discussion on how to improve the election rules, at least for now, there is still no talk about what elections are for and what they should decide."