Caretaker Justice Minister Andrey Yankulov stated on Monday that the judicial system should not remain under the leadership of an acting Prosecutor General whose tenure he deems contrary to law and morality. Commenting on Sunday’s elections, Yankulov suggested that the results clearly favored Progressive Bulgaria while marking a significant setback for established political entities perceived as maintaining a corrupt judicial status quo. According to Yankulov, a critical challenge for Bulgaria’s future is converting the public’s evident support for judicial reform into concrete political action.
He noted that the poor electoral outcome for parties invested in maintaining the current judicial structure suggests that citizens view reform as an inevitability. Yankulov expressed hope that restoring legality within the prosecution service would serve as an initial step toward change, a process he believes should not await the election of a new Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) composition. While emphasizing the necessity of a swift and proper SJC election, Yankulov stressed that speed must not compromise due process.
He argued that safeguards must ensure the selection of honest professionals dedicated to an independent, rather than partisan, judiciary. Regarding the SJC and its Prosecutors’ College, Yankulov asserted they were given ample time over the past two months to recognize the situation and act with professional integrity. He warned that if they fail to do so, the new parliament might address the issue through ordinary legislative means early in its session.
This statement was made following the Ministry of Justice’s publication of a working analysis concerning the competency model for senior judicial administrative leaders, including the Prosecutor General.
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