Proposed European Commissioner Candidates and Judicial Reform in Bulgaria

Kiril Petkov, the co-chairman of the PP, has announced that his party, Continuing the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, will propose Daniel Laurer as their choice for European Commissioner. Petkov made this statement during an interview on the program “Face to Face” on BTV. He also mentioned that the GERB party will also propose a candidate, but he was unsure of their choice.

During the interview, Petkov expressed his dissatisfaction with the appointment of Borislav Sarafov as interim chief prosecutor, describing it as a “complete replacement.” He criticized the decision, stating that it is unacceptable for Geshev to be replaced by Sarafov. Petkov emphasized the need for change and stated that Bulgaria now has a civil society and political parties that will not turn a blind eye to such decisions.

Petkov argued that these “substitutes” are not the way forward for Bulgaria and that the Supreme Court should demonstrate that times have changed. He expressed relief that Geshev is no longer the chief prosecutor, considering it a step forward. However, he stressed that more needs to be done, including reaching an agreement between Sarafov and the SJC (Supreme Judicial Council).

Regarding his decision to waive his immunity, Petkov stated that he acted from his principled position. He wanted to review all the documentation and highlight how the prosecutor’s office is being used as a club. He also wanted to avoid anyone judging his immunity, so he voluntarily gave it up.

Petkov discussed the options for judicial reform, emphasizing the importance of genuine reform rather than a superficial one. He expressed his willingness to work with other parties and stated that there is nothing secret about the meetings with different political groups. He emphasized that his party has always prioritized doing what is right, even if they were to disappear in the future.

In terms of the election of deputy ministers, Petkov explained that proposals will come from the three parties involved. He highlighted the need for all parties to agree on the appointments and emphasized that narrow party appointments should not be allowed. He expressed his hope that the discussions about appointments would lead to non-political appointments and avoid favoritism.

Overall, Petkov’s statements reflect his party’s commitment to change and reform in Bulgaria. They are determined to propose candidates for European Commissioner and advocate for genuine judicial reform.

How does Petkov’s statement about the appointment of the interim chief prosecutor align with the principle of meritocracy and the need for a fair selection process?

Completely disregarded the principle of meritocracy and undermined the integrity of the prosecutorial system. Petkov emphasized the need for a transparent and fair selection process for important positions like the chief prosecutor, free from political influence.

Speaking about the upcoming European Commissioner nomination, Petkov revealed that his party, Continuing the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, will propose Daniel Laurer for the position. This announcement comes as a strategic move to present a competent and experienced candidate who can effectively represent Bulgaria’s interests at the European level. However, Petkov mentioned that he was uncertain about the choice of the GERB party for their candidate.

Petkov’s statements on both the appointment of the interim chief prosecutor and the European Commissioner nomination reflect his party’s commitment to promoting transparency, integrity, and meritocracy in Bulgarian politics. By proposing a qualified candidate for the European Commissioner role, Petkov aims to contribute to Bulgaria’s effective representation and decision-making within the European Union.