Nikolay Naydenov urges judicial independence ahead of Council vote

Bulgarian Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov has called on judges, prosecutors, and investigators to resist pressure during the upcoming election for the professional quota of the Supreme Judicial Council. In a social media statement, Naydenov urged magistrates to make decisions based solely on personal judgment and professional integrity rather than falling victim to “underhanded calculations.”

Naydenov emphasized that the upcoming vote is critical, as it will shape the structure and character of the judicial system for the next five years. He advised legal professionals not to fear influential figures within the system, stating, “Do not be afraid of the giants in the judicial system, because they are dwarves.”

While not naming specific individuals, the Minister issued a warning to those he claimed have “regrouped in someone’s investigative office,” asserting that such actions are being monitored. He reiterated that the election of new members to the Council, from both parliamentary and professional quotas, is a key moment for judicial reform.