New SJC Confirms Georgi Cholakov as Head of Supreme Administrative Court

Georgi Cholakov's election as President of the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) was confirmed by the new Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), after he was interviewed by the Council earlier in the day, BTA reported on 19^th of October. His appointment to the post is to be decreed by Bulgarian President Roumen Radev.

Cholakov was first elected as chair of SAC by the old SJC, but President Radev refused to decree his appointment because he said the election would have been more legitimate if carried out by the newly elected SJC. The new SJC decided not to repeat the procedure from the beginning and chose instead to interview the elected candidate and take a confirmation vote. The Bulgarian President may not refuse to appoint Cholakov a second time.

Cholakov told the media that the second vote was carried out according to the procedure set out in the law and according to the SJC rules. After the second vote on 19th of October, some members of the new SJC argued that the Council should have interviewed not only Cholakov but also his opponent in the first election, Sonya Yankoulova, and should have voted separately on each of them.

Cholakov said he did not understand why President Radev refused to decree his appointment the first time. "That was the President's judgment. He did not present any reasons, but this is his constitutional power," he added.

SJC Representative Member Boyan Magdalinchev said his institution acknowledged Cholakov's skills and abilities and appreciated the fact that Cholakov was the nominateion of the SAC Plenum.