Lawmakers have approved on a second reading legislative
amendments that the government argues are paving the way for a
major reform in the judicial system.
MPs have agreed to split the Supreme Judicial
Council (VSS) into two colleges, one for judges and the other
for prosecutors.
Separately, a "plenary" is set up to ensure there
is VSS configuration bringing together all of the
council's members.
The VSS is the top decisionmaking body of the
judiciary (sometimes referred to as its "government")
which is in charge of issues such as key appointments to or
dismissals from the system, salaries, and disciplinary action.
It also brings together the Justice Minister (who is not
a VSS member but has the right to preside over the
meetings) with the most important representatives of the system,
namely Bulgaria's Chief Prosecutor, the head of the Supreme
Administrative Court (VAS), and the Supreme Court of Cassation
(VKS).
