The result of the fifth vote of no confidence in the cabinet “Zhelyazkov” did not surprise me, since it is obvious that the government has a majority of over 130 deputies, which is composed of four political forces. There is no news here. But in my opinion, the vote was justified and well-measured precisely because of the “conquered state”.
This was stated on the program “Ofansiva” on NOVA News the former acting Minister of Justice and former legal secretary to President Rumen Radev Krum Zarkov.
"How, apart from conquering the state, can you explain the fact that a party leader who nominally controls 29 deputies - I mean Delyan Peevski - sets the agenda of the entire National Assembly? Yesterday he wrote a letter to the Prime Minister: "Tell me what you are doing about water?". And today the Prime Minister is answering him in 6 points", he recalled. And he added: "The parliamentary republic and the balance of power obviously diverge from the real one. You wouldn't say that the influence of the BSP or the ITN is comparable to that of Peevski."
Zarkov recalled that during the debates on the vote, the issue of the Prosecutor General was not raised, which was "written in the 80 pages, which contained a lot of things." But, he emphasized, during the seven-hour debate, "the question of what will be done with the Supreme Judicial Council was not heard at all. What will be done with Sarafov?"
Zarkov also commented on the case of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsevna against the backdrop of the ongoing protests in his support. Two judicial panels recused themselves from the appellate instance for the detention measure, which is due to be heard next week. The Judicial College of the Supreme Judicial Council issued a declaration stating that it "opposes the wave of insults, slander and threats against judges, which aims to administer justice under the pressure of civil sentiments and political ambitions".
"Judicial independence must be respected if we want, even nominally, to live in a state governed by the rule of law. The voice of the Supreme Judicial Council could be heard if it itself was not completely - not only delegitimized, but also discredited. These people who are now advocating for others - are themselves discredited. Secondly, the judges themselves, of course, must defend their independence, including their colleagues who find themselves under attack. And this is not the first time. These positions are legitimate in themselves and must be taken into account. But they would be really strong and influential if there was even a drop of healthy self-criticism and the opportunity for a guild to defend itself, not only when it is attacked from the outside, but also when it is penetrated from the inside," he emphasized.
But he expressed the opinion that "the rebellion of judges through recusal is very controversial." "Not to say unacceptable. Judges cannot defend their independence by deciding not to fulfill their duties. This cannot happen and does not contribute to the authority of their robe. And the authority of their robe is a guarantee of our rights. And that is why it seems to me that this whole situation around the arrest (ed. note by Kotsev), which is politicized by all sides - should be treated by the class itself in a different way."
Krum Zarkov also commented on our entry into the eurozone in the context of the referendum on the euro requested by President Rumen Radev. "I personally do not believe that Bulgaria's entry into the eurozone underestimates its identity. This is a 20-year effort by the Bulgarian state, by various governments in it, and it will be realized, I hope, on January 1st next year".