The Committee on Legal Affairs in the National Assembly rejected the veto of President Rumen Radev on the legal changes, which create the figure of a prosecutor who can investigate the chief prosecutor. The texts were re-voted with 12 votes in favor and 7 against.
The head of state put forward five arguments for returning the legislative amendments. Among them was that the idea had not been widely discussed. In addition, according to the president, principles enshrined in the Constitution are violated, such as the autonomy of the chief prosecutor and all prosecutors, as well as the equality of citizens above the law.
As expected, GERB defended their idea, although the Venice Commission has not yet ruled on the texts. The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), the prosecutor’s office and the Supreme Bar Council also spoke out against them.
Krum Zarkov, deputy from the Bulgarian Socialist Party asked to know what necessitates the creation of a prosecutor to investigate the chief and what will happen if the Venice Commission does not issue a positive opinion on the amendments. According to Zarkov, the debate became anecdotal and the ruling party’s decision was incomprehensible.
