Sarafov's resignation is nearly 3 years late. This was stated in the program “Crossroads” on Nova TV by the former Minister of Justice Atanas Slavov from the PP-DB.
“When he was elected, I asked the Supreme Administrative Court to annul his election because, in my opinion, the procedure was not followed. At the end of my 10-month mandate, I requested disciplinary proceedings, which were denied. Yankulov began his actions to remove Sarafov from the first day of his office”, recalled Slavov. He added that they have repeatedly requested Sarafov's removal from the parliamentary rostrum. “So this is the fruit of 3 years of efforts - both by politicians and civil society”, Slavov commented.
In his statement, Sarafov says that he made his decision a long time ago, but he has been waiting. “He was waiting to see if there would be any way out, provided by the Peevski-Borisov tandem. It had been rumored months ago that he was being prepared for the Constitutional Court. That is, to hold out this year so that next year, when the elections of new constitutional judges are held, he could be sent there - to a “sanatorium”, Slavov said.
However, things have changed. “The combination of civic energy and political actions led to today's resignation. This is my conclusion”, said Slavov.
Asked how he views Vanya Stefanova, who will continue to perform the functions of Prosecutor General, Slavov said that she was elected as a result of Sarafov's will. “I do not expect any change in the style of the Prosecutor's Office”, Slavov also said.
”A test for the new management will be whether we will simply change the faces, or change the model”, he believes.
”The first test will be whether the election of new members of the Supreme Judicial Council will be forced immediately, or limited legislative amendments will be adopted first, which can be adopted literally within 10 days, and then the new members of the Supreme Judicial Council will be elected according to the new rules. We defend the thesis of changing the rules”, said Slavov.
According to him, the Minister of Justice should take a greater role in the selection of the Prosecutor General. “For example, he should nominate the candidate for Prosecutor General and have a more decisive role within the process itself in the SJC regarding the prosecution”, commented Slavov.