Bulgaria MPs Approve Changes to Judicial System
Lawmakers have approved on a second reading legislative amendments that the government argues are paving the way for a major reform in the judicial system.
MPs have agreed to split the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) into two colleges, one for judges and the other for prosecutors.
Separately, a "plenary" is set up to ensure there is VSS configuration bringing together all of the council's members.
The VSS is the top decisionmaking body of the judiciary (sometimes referred to as its "government") which is in charge of issues such as key appointments to or dismissals from the system, salaries, and disciplinary action.
It also brings together the Justice Minister (who is not a VSS member but has the right to preside over the meetings) with the most important representatives of the system, namely Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor, the head of the Supreme Administrative Court (VAS), and the Supreme Court of Cassation (VKS).
Changes have been made to the quotas at the respective colleges, with the 14 judges including the VAS an VKS chairs, six judges elected by their colleagues, and six appointed by Parliament.
Sofia News Agency