Bulgarian president blocks controversial judge's oath
Rosen Plevneliev - Photo EC
(SOFIA) - Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev blocked on Thursday the swearing-in of a controversial candidate for constitutional court judge because of concern from Brussels over corruption allegations.
Veneta Markovska, former deputy chairwoman of the Supreme Administrative Court, had been due to take the oath, but Plevneliev, whose presence at the constitutional court ceremony was indispensable, left right before her turn came.
"Doubts about the moral qualities of one of the candidates have circulated in the public domain and I have repeatedly urged this candidate to take the oath of office only after clearing her name," he said afterwards to explain his move.
"The Bulgarian citizens and our European partners should not have the slightest doubt over the moral qualities of any of the constitutional court judges," he added.
Allegations of influence-peddling and rumours about shady property deals involving Markovska have circulated in the Bulgarian press since her nomination for constitutional judge in October by the ruling right-wing GERB party. This has provoked concern from the European Commission.
Brussels is closely monitoring Bulgaria's progress in reforming its slow and inefficient judiciary and assuring transparency of its judiciary appointments since joining the bloc in 2007.
In late October, Commission spokesman Olivier Bailly called on parliament to "carry out thorough checks of allegations of corruption, trade of influence and conflict of interest" regarding its candidates for the top court.
When lawmakers nevertheless approved Markovska's nomination without even discussing the allegations against her.
As a result, both Plevneliev and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov have repeatedly asked Markovska to answer the allegations against her or withdraw.
Even without Markovska, the constitutional court will still be able to function. But a replacement will have to be found if Plevneliev continues to block her.
Three other constitutional court judges were sworn in Thursday.