Caretaker Justice Minister Andrey Yankulov stated on Monday that the judicial system should not remain under an acting Prosecutor General whose tenure he characterized as contrary to both law and morality. Following Sunday’s elections, Yankulov commented that the results clearly identified a winner, Progressive Bulgaria, and significant losers, naming the long-standing political entities associated with the judiciary’s perceived corrupt status quo. According to Yankulov, a critical challenge for Bulgaria’s future is translating the public support for judicial reform into concrete political action.
He suggested that the poor electoral showing for parties that resisted judicial change indicates that citizens view reform as an unavoidable necessity. The minister stated, “I would like to believe that restoring legality in the running of the prosecution service will be the first small step of change.”
Yankulov argued that this initial step should not be delayed pending the election of a new Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) composition. While a prompt SJC election is important, he emphasized that procedural correctness must take precedence over speed.
This is necessary to ensure that honest professionals are selected who will prioritize the public interest over a party-dominated system. The minister suggested that the SJC and its Prosecutors’ College have been given ample opportunity over the past two months to recognize the situation and act with professional integrity. Yankulov warned that if they fail to do so, the new parliament may address the issue through ordinary legislative action early in its session.
His remarks followed the Ministry of Justice’s publication of a working analysis on the competency model for senior judicial administrative leaders, including the Prosecutor General.
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