Tensions rise as anti-government protests enter their 42 day
Anti-government protests demanding the Cabinet’s resignation and that of Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev continuing across Bulgaria, but PM Boyko Borissov is finding new ways to justify staying in power, including by drafting a new constitution.
The procedure for adopting a new constitution is quite lengthy. It takes at least 5-6 months to begin convening a Grand Assembly – needed to adopt a new constitution. The Grand Assembly itself could theoretically take forever to complete the task of passing the new fundamental law. During this whole would-be process, Borissov would stay in power on a technicality, likely past his regular term expires.
The move to propose a new constitution was sudden and surprising to many. It is unclear how long Borissov’s party, GERB, have been working on the project. Justice Minister Daanail Kirilov declared a new constitution had been in the works since 2014, and this is the finished product. A few days later, Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, who is tasked with justice reform, for which she also carries the title Deputy PM for Justice Reform, said the proposal is a result of one month’s work.
Whatever the case, the document is full of mistakes and inconsistencies, which she herself dismissed as the document was merely a draft. Putting mistakes aside, however, Borissov’s constitution provides a decisive addition, which is bizarre to say the least. The document gives the judiciary and the Prosecutor General the right of legislative initiative.
The texts, besides baffling, are a blow in the face both to protesters and the EU. For protesters, the Prosecutor General – together with this PM – are at the very base of the deep-rooted corruption in the country, against which the protests are happening. The demands for both their stepping down is seen as the only possible first step towards achieving any change.
The procedure for adopting a new constitution is quite lengthy. It takes at least 5-6 months to begin convening a Grand Assembly – needed to adopt a new constitution. The Grand Assembly itself could theoretically take forever to complete the task of passing the new fundamental law. During this whole would-be process, Borissov would stay in power on a technicality, likely past his regular term expires.
The move to propose a new constitution was sudden and surprising to many. It is unclear how long Borissov’s party, GERB, have been working on the project. Justice Minister Daanail Kirilov declared a new constitution had been in the works since 2014, and this is the finished product. A few days later, Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, who is tasked with justice reform, for which she also carries the title Deputy PM for Justice Reform, said the proposal is a result of one month’s work.
Whatever the case, the document is full of mistakes and inconsistencies, which she herself dismissed as the document was merely a draft. Putting mistakes aside, however, Borissov’s constitution provides a decisive addition, which is bizarre to say the least. The document gives the judiciary and the Prosecutor General the right of legislative initiative.
The texts, besides baffling, are a blow in the face both to protesters and the EU. For protesters, the Prosecutor General – together with this PM – are at the very base of the deep-rooted corruption in the country, against which the protests are happening. The demands for both their stepping down is seen as the only possible first step towards achieving any change.
Източник: mediapool.bg
КОМЕНТАРИ