Bulgaria’s top judge and President discuss need for changes to the Constitution

The head of Bulgaria’s Supreme Court of Cassation, Lozan Panov and President Rumen Radev discussed whether there should be amendments to the Constitution.

The meeting took place yesterday, on March 11 and is part of a series of consultations initiated by the Head of State on the need of constitutional changes. This was stated by Lozan Panov before the regular session of the Supreme Judicial Council and once again called for changes in the basic law of the state.

During the meeting, the two discussed the constitutional model of the judiciary, the status and functions of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), the possibilities for introducing an individual constitutional complaint. The purpose of the consultations that I started was to hold discussions and present different views in order to strengthen the guarantees for the protection of citizens' rights, said President Rumen Radev during the meeting.

Lozan Panov said that the President and him also discussed the model of the prosecution, which, according to Panov does not allow for effective investigation of the Chief Prosecutor.

The media environment has also been discussed.

Lozan Panov, Head of the Supreme Court of Cassation: Every change that is made in the judicial system further strengthens the position of the Chief Prosecutor and his influence in both the SJC Plenum and the SJC Prosecutors’ college. The centre of the judicial system is the court. In the case, there is an absolute imbalance, and the Chief Prosecutor - in view of his powers and uncontrolled authority - is the one who sets and ensures all kinds of standards that change at any moment.

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The Head of State has already met with the Chairman of the Supreme Administrative Court Georgi Cholakov, with SJC head Boyan Magdalinchev, and members of the Council, and with Chief Inspector at the SJC Inspectorate Teodora Tochkova. The wide-ranging debate on the need for constitutional changes began in consultation with representatives of the academic community and non-governmental organizations.

Meetings with heads of other institutions in the judiciary, as well as with parliamentary political parties, are scheduled.