Protests to Continue as Bulgarian MPs Table Joint Project for Judicial Reform

Two protests will take place in front of the parliament building, as Bulgarian MPs are to debate the judicial reform on Friday.

Citizens participating in the so-called "coffee drinking" protest demand a judicial reform without compromises and are opposed to the joint project, which was agreed by most of the parliamentary represented parties on Thursday.

The participants in another demonstration will protest against the amendments to the constitution, which the government tabled to parliament, private bTV station informs.

The joint project for amendments to the constitution, which was agreed by six of the parliamentary represented parties, is expected to be tabled for discussion at the National Assembly on Friday.

On Thursday, the main ruling party GERB, its junior coalition partner the Reformist Bloc (RB) and the two parties supporting the coalition government - the Patriotic Front (PF) and ABV reached a consensus with two of the opposition parties - the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) and the Bulgarian Democratic Centre (BDC) to submit a new project for constitutional amendments.

The parties agreed on three points - division of the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) into two colleges - one of judges and another of prosecutors, election of judges and prosecutors by majority voting and enhancing the role of the inspectorate of VSS.

In order for constitutional amendments to be adopted, these have to be approved by three quarters of the lawmakers or 180 MPs.