site.btaPrime Minister Borissov to Hold Series of Meetings with Party Leaders on Judicial Reform

Prime Minister Borissov to Hold Series of Meetings with Party Leaders on Judicial Reform

Krichim, Southern Bulgaria, July 19 (BTA) - Approached by
journalists Sunday for a comment on the judicial reform, Prime
Minister Boyko Borissov said that in January the National
Assembly adopted the Government's Judicial Reform Strategy with
big majority because he had talked with the political parties'
leaders. "There has been a slight delay [in the adoption of the
draft constitutional changes proposed by the Government], but I
am convinced that next Friday these will be voted on first
reading," he added. Borissov went on to say that this is the
reason for a series of meetings between him and some party
leaders on July 20 and 21.

He expressed the hope that after the talks everything will be
all right at Friday's vote on the constitutional changes, which
concern the three key elements of the judicial reform that will
mark an important step in the right direction both for Bulgaria
and Brussels.
   
Borissov listed the important elements in the reform: the
division of the Supreme Judicial Council into two colleges -of
judges and of prosecutors; the majority election of judges and
prosecutors; and the strengthening of the judicial
inspectorate's role. "On Monday and Tuesday I will find
consensus. I am sure because I know the leaders of these parties
 and I know that when the issue is presented to them as a cause,
 in the name of the State and their people, they are extremely
reasonable and open to dialogue. I am glad that our partners in
the Government - the Reformist Bloc - understood that insults
and recriminations are not the way. They did a lot in the last
couple of days. Therefore, I hope that the change will take
place with joint efforts of both the power holders and the
opposition, and with a normal and tolerant tone, which has been
a fact in the last days," Borissov told journalists.
  
The Prime Minister specified that he will hold a meeting with
ABV leader Georgi Purvanov and his parliamentary group on
Monday, and probably with the Movement for Rights and Freedoms
on Tuesday. He added that he has talked with Bulgarian Socialist
 Party leader Mihail Mikov several times on the topic, but will
contact him officially if necessary.