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IVAN GESHEV
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The Prime Minister is meeting with the boss of EP only 10 days after her election
Ivan Geshev and Kiril Petkov will be heard in a closed session of the Democracy Monitoring Group of the EP’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Bulgarian time on Thursday, with Bulgarian Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev and his deputy Daniela Masheva taking the floor. The only Bulgarian representative in the group is the Socialist and Democrat MEP Elena Yoncheva.
A total of 28 written questions were addressed by the MEPs to the Bulgarian representatives. The monitoring group emphasizes that during their visit to Sofia in September 2021, the prosecutor’s office did not provide them with up-to-date information. MEPs are now demanding details on investigations into Barcelonagate and the gold bars allegedly involving former Prime Minister Borissov. “What are the main reasons that prevent the prosecutor’s office from completing the work on these two cases?” The LIBE commission asked.
Another direct issue to Geshev concerns the construction of the Hemus highway. They cite media reports that “the prosecutor’s unwillingness to continue the investigation and the refusal to provide protection to one of the key witnesses in the scheme” were presented. “What motives led the authorities to conclude that there was no need to provide witness protection?” Geshev was asked.
MEPs are also interested in concrete actions that the Prosecutor General will take to ensure a proper investigation into violence against journalists.
After 11 o’clock a hearing of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov is scheduled. The meeting will be attended by the Ministers of Justice Nadezhda Yordanova and the Ministers of Culture Atanas Atanasov.
The first question to Kiril Petkov is about his words that “our role is to put people in the prosecutor’s office, in KPKONPI”. MEPs want a written assurance that judicial reform in Bulgaria continues and will not be limited to personal shifts. “What is your position on the ongoing calls for the resignation of the Prosecutor General and do such calls not directly violate the principle of separation of powers and attempts to exercise political influence on the independence of the judiciary?” The Bulgarian prime minister was asked by the monitoring group. Kiril Petkov is also expected to comment on his Canadian citizenship.
The EP expects an explanation from the Minister of Justice for her statement that the prosecution will be under pressure through the budget. “What steps does the ministry intend to take to ensure that it does not exert political pressure on the independent judiciary?” The LIBE commission asked.
Both Kiril Petkov and Nadezhda Yordanova are expected to comment on US sanctions against Bulgarian citizens under the Magnitsky Act and the government’s actions.
“Will your government commit itself to ratifying the Istanbul Convention?” The EP said.
There is only one question for the Minister of Culture – about media pluralism.
After the meeting of the monitoring group, the Bulgarian Prime Minister will meet with the new head of the European Parliament Roberta Mezzola only 10 days after her election.
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