Ruling coalition seek the resignation of Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev

The ruling coalition and the parliamentary groups of "We Continue the Change" (WCC), "BSP for Bulgaria", "There is Such a people" and "Democratic Bulgaria", with a declaration from the parliamentary rostrum on January 14, demanded the resignation of Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev. According to the government, an effective fight against corruption and crime cannot be led by the Prosecutor General.

The opposition GERB-UDF reacted by saying that effective judicial reform cannot be done with declarations, but with laws.

The Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) remained silent, but MP Delyan Peevski told reporters to ask the Chief Prosecutor why he was not appealing Ivo Prokopiev's sentence.

The declaration was read by Andrei Gyurov, chairman of the PG of "We Continue the Change", after which the MPs rose to their feet and applauded, with the exception of MPs from GERB-UDF and MRF.

The coalition:

• whereas systemic erosion of justice is due to corruption at the high levels of power,
• whereas the status and functions of the Prosecutor General differ from the EU,
• having regard to the findings of the EU institutions - a number of reports, concerns about high-level corruption following the Apartmentgate scandal, the guest houses affair, Rosenets,
• having regard to the principled position in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, having regard to the recommendations of the Venice Commission,
• having regard to the low levels of confidence in the Prosecutor General and the mass protests,
• Considering the inaction of the Prosecutor's Office for high-level corruption, which led to sanctions under Magnitsky Act, taking into account the case of the "8 Dwarfs",
• Considering the selective activation of the leadership of the Prosecutor's Office, drawing attention to a number of political statements by the Prosecutor General,
• emphasizing the abuse of power and the invasion of the presidency,
• Emphasizing that the Special Prosecutor's Office should request the Special Intelligence-Gathering Devices for opposition leaders and citizens,
• noting that the dismissal of the Prosecutor General has been requested in the SJC, and that many worthy professionals work in the Bulgarian Prosecutor's Office,
• whereas there are currently no other mechanisms in place,

calls on the Prosecutor General to resign, said Andrei Gyurov, chairman of the General Assembly.

You recently applauded a request to the Attorney General. Let's be clear - the first draft law in this National Assembly was by "Vazrazhdane" – for changes to the judicial system. We would have had specific steps. At the moment, your demagoguery is total. You do nothing. The extreme liberals are doing nothing. Instead of insulting the people that they are fascists – you should go out and vote, because to applaud a request is a shame for you, said MP Tsoncho Ganev from "Vazrazhdane".

WCC also welcomed the intention of the head of the anti-corruption commission, Sotir Tsatsarov, to resign and believe that this will be in the interest of Bulgarian public.