CONSTITUTIONAL MOMENT OR FAILURE: CONSTITUTIONAL POLITICS IN BULGARIA 2020 Cover Image

CONSTITUTIONAL MOMENT OR FAILURE: CONSTITUTIONAL POLITICS IN BULGARIA 2020
CONSTITUTIONAL MOMENT OR FAILURE: CONSTITUTIONAL POLITICS IN BULGARIA 2020

Author(s): Atanas Slavov
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Public Administration, Public Law
Published by: Софийски университет »Св. Климент Охридски«
Keywords: constitutional politics; the rule of law; judicial reforms; accountability of the prosecution; European standards; civic engagement and mobilization.

Summary/Abstract: Constitutional politics in Bulgaria is rather transient and unpredictable process. Constitutional changes very often follow not established principles and standards, but the logic of political expediency of the moment. Upholding the independence of the judiciary in the context of declining rule of law and democratic standards is a challenging matter. After 30 years of democratic experience, Bulgaria has not completed key institutional reforms in the judicial branch. Constitutional amendments are again on the political agenda concerning the structural division of the Supreme Judicial Council that will ensure independence of the judiciary, and the need of accountability and effective procedure of dismissal of the over-powerful Prosecutor General. How to mobilize political and public support for the amendments implementing established European standards remains a crucial task for the Bulgarian political elite and the civil society to work out.

  • Issue Year: 12/2021
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 54-63
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: English