GERB-UDF, WCC-DB and MRF tabled a joint bill for amendments to the Constitution

"We have tabled a draft law to amend and supplement the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria," Hristo Ivanov of “We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria” (WCC-DB) said on July 28.

In his words, the texts have been consolidated into one.

"The draft law was signed by 166 MPs from WCC-DB, GERB-UDF and Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF), which ensures to a high degree the existence of a majority for the passage of ideas on judicial reform, the Supreme Judicial Council is divided into two with proportions, that ensure compliance with international standards regarding the independence of the court, but also maintaining a parliamentary quota in the Judges Council and the Prosecutorial Council, which has a substantial majority of parliamentarians, thus ensuring public accountability," Hristo Ivanov added.

He clarified that the powers of the Prosecutor General are being reduced, thus liquidating this position, in his words, as "a centre of informal power and a political player".

"This bill is yet to pass 3 readings - there will be discussion and refinement of the texts," Hristo Ivanov added.

"Both GERB-UDF and MRF united on the topic that May 24 should be the national holiday of Bulgaria and this should be stipulated in the Constitution. We bring the spirit of knowledge and enlightenment, of alphabet and writing. Of course, we also respect March 3, we set an ideology for future generations," said Kiril Petkov of WCC-DB.

"The core is judicial reform. We propose that during caretaker cabinets, the President should choose one person as a candidate for Prime Minister from the 3 we name - the President of the National Assembly, the head of the BNB and the President of the Supreme Court of Cassation and that the Council of Ministers should be formed on the proposal of this candidate for Prime Minister - this way the autonomy of the caretaker government is created, because otherwise it depends on only one person," Atanas Atanasov said.

It also introduces easier access to the Constitutional Court.

"We are at the beginning of the process, we have a lot of work ahead of us in a complex political situation," Hristo Ivanov said.

Asked by BNT, he commented, "The issue of quick changes requires 180 votes, and we have 166, which is enough to slow down the process," Hristo Ivanov said.

Shortly afterwards, Delyan Peevski commented that the MRF had given up their project for changes in order to have unification, judicial reform and a new Constitution by the New Year.

"Hopefully, support will be gathered, if not, we go on the slow track, we have the votes and it will be passed. The difference is not that big, by New Year we will have a new Constitution. Let's look for unification, we'll see what we do. There is no point in going into details," Peevski said.