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Bulgaria seeks to fix weak judiciary

17 December 2014, 16:48 CET
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(SOFIA) - Bulgaria outlined Wednesday proposals for a major overhaul of the EU country's judiciary, long criticised by Brussels for being slow, inefficient and corrupt.

Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov, presenting the reforms at a cabinet meeting, said he wanted to "clean up the judiciary from the inside".

The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), responsible for all legal appointments, will be shaken up and split in two, in line with a recommendation from Brussels.

Other measures will seek to improve the accountability, transparency and independence of the courts while preventing politicians and businesses from influencing legal rulings.

For the first time, the chief prosecutor and the chairs of Bulgaria's two highest appeals courts will be able to be recalled before their terms expire.

Bulgaria has been struggling to reform its judiciary since it joined the EU in 2007. Opposition to the changes from inside the system has been strong.

In order to enter into effect, the strategy has to be approved by the 240-seat parliament and will require changes in a series of laws, including constitutional amendments.


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