Bulgarian PM Accepts Resignations of Two Deputy Justice Ministers

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov signed on Friday the resignation requests of two Deputy Justice Ministers.

Petko Petkov and Verginia Micheva-Ruseva submitted resignation requests on Wednesday following the resignation of Justice Minister Hristo Ivanov.

Ivanov resigned on Wednesday due to the failure of parliament to adopt all constitutional amendments concerning the reform of the judiciary, which had been proposed by him.

In particular, Ivanov was discontent that MPs revised the allocation of professional and parliamentary quotas within the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS).

Although MPs approved the proposed division of VSS into two colleges - one of judges and another of prosecutors, Ivanov expressed concern that the revised amendments retained the excessive power of the chief prosecutor.

He said that good steps have been made in the direction of improving the judicial system, but these have not been enough.

Following his resignation, Radan Kanev, co-chairperson of the junior coalition partner - the Reformist Bloc (RB) and leader of one of the parties constituting the bloc, announced that he withdraws his support for the cabinet and becomes an opposition MP.

The successor of Ivanov will be proposed for approval by parliament after a consultation between the parties in the ruling coalition.