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 deemed contrary to law and morality. Yankulov commented that the recent elections have established a clear victor, Progressive Bulgaria, and identified significant losers among the established political forces maintaining the status quo within the judiciary. According to the minister, a crucial element for Bulgaria’s future involves translating the public’s evident support for judicial reform into tangible political action.
He noted that the outcome was particularly damaging for parties that actively worked to prevent judicial change, suggesting that citizens view reform as an unavoidable necessity. Yankulov expressed his belief that restoring legality within the prosecution service should be an immediate, initial step toward change, a process he stated should not await the election of a new Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) composition. While he emphasized the need for a swift SJC election, Yankulov stressed that the process must prioritize correctness over speed.
He argued that safeguards must ensure that only honest professionals, committed to an independent judicial system rather than party influence, are selected. Furthermore, the minister criticized the SJC and its Prosecutors’ College for failing to adapt to the current situation, suggesting they missed opportunities to depart with professional integrity. Yankulov warned that if they fail to do so, the new parliament might address the issue through ordinary legislation early in its session.
Earlier in April, the Ministry of Justice released an analysis detailing the competency model for senior administrative judicial leaders, including the Prosecutor General and various court presidents.
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This suggests that judicial appointments are still heavily influenced by political maneuvering rather than purely legal merit.