# Bulgaria judicial council reforms and nominations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgaria-judicial-council-reforms > Updated: 2026-09-10T11:59:42.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 12. By September 9, 2026, the nomination process for the Supreme Judicial Council (VSS) judicial quota included 20 candidates for six seats, including high-ranking officials and supreme court judges. The political party ‘Yes, Bulgaria’ nominated Andrey Yankulov, Tanya Radulovska-Madamzhieva, and Emil Dechev, with Yankulov and Radulovska receiving support from seven NGOs. Additionally, Yavor Kolev, a judge at the Supreme Administrative Court, has received support from judicial colleagues. Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov announced that a new Prosecutor General is expected to be elected by spring, a timeline contingent upon the selection of the new VSS. The VSS will be responsible for appointing the Prosecutor General and the heads of the Supreme Administrative and Supreme Cassation Courts. Naydenov stated that government-proposed candidates were selected based on integrity and professional qualities, and noted intentions to implement constitutional reforms to allow for the removal of VSS members under broader grounds, such as undue influence or personal interests. Currently, 25 prosecutors are competing for four seats within the professional prosecutor quota. On September 10, 2026, President Rumen Radev emphasized that the VSS election is critical for Bulgaria’s development across all sectors. While speaking in Paris, Radev suggested that the refusal of certain political parties, specifically mentioning GERB, to nominate candidates indicates “internal confusion and fear.” He called for parliamentary cooperation to select suitable candidates, noting the VSS election is expected by mid-November and the selection of a Prosecutor General is anticipated in early 2027. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-10: Rumen Radev stresses importance of judicial council election Rumen Radev stated in Paris that electing the Supreme Judicial Council is vital for Bulgaria, while also highlighting the nation's advancing role in space technology and defense. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rumen-radev-stresses-importance-of-judicial-council-election ### 2026-09-09: Bulgaria expects new Prosecutor General by spring Bulgarian Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov expects a new Prosecutor General to be elected by spring, following the selection of a new Supreme Judicial Council from 25 prosecutor nominees. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-expects-new-prosecutor-general-by-spring ### 2026-09-08: Bulgaria Supreme Judicial Council election sees 20 candidates for 6 seats Twenty candidates are competing for six judicial seats in Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council, with nominations coming from various courts and political groups like ‘Yes, Bulgaria’. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-supreme-judicial-council-judge-elections-see-20-candidates ### 2026-09-08: Association of Prosecutors in Bulgaria warns of pressure over VSS elections The Association of Prosecutors in Bulgaria has warned of threats, disciplinary intimidation, and bribery attempts aimed at influencing the upcoming Supreme Judicial Council elections. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/association-of-prosecutors-in-bulgaria-warns-of-pressure-over-vss-elections ### 2026-09-04: Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council receives 12 new member nominations Twelve new candidates, including a Supreme Administrative Court judge and several regional court leaders, have been nominated for election to Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarias-supreme-judicial-council-receives-12-new-member-nominations ### 2026-08-27: Bulgarian President calls for consensus on Supreme Judicial Council election President Iliana Yotova and MP Velislav Velichkov have called for transparency and integrity in the upcoming election of Bulgaria’s new Supreme Judicial Council to restore public trust. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-president-calls-for-consensus-on-supreme-judicial-council-election ### 2026-08-26: Nikolay Naydenov urges judicial independence ahead of Council vote Bulgarian Justice Minister Nikolay Naydenov urged judicial officials to vote independently for the Supreme Judicial Council, warning them not to succumb to pressure or influence from powerful figures. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nikolay-naydenov-urges-judicial-independence-ahead-of-council-vote ### 2026-08-25: Krasiemira Milachkova nominated for Supreme Judicial Council Judge Krasiemira Milachkova has been nominated for the Supreme Judicial Council in Bulgaria, supported by magistrates from several high-level courts for her professional expertise and integrity. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/krasiemira-milachkova-nominated-for-supreme-judicial-council ### 2026-08-24: Prosecutors nominated for Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council Multiple prosecutors, including former Eurojust expert Ivaylo Iliev and former spokesperson Siyka Mileva, have been nominated for membership in Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prosecutors-nominated-for-bulgarias-supreme-judicial-council ### 2026-08-12: Blagovest Vangelov nominated for Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council Blagovest Vangelov, a former member of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office, is the fourth candidate proposed for the prosecutor quota of Bulgaria's future Supreme Judicial Council. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/blagovest-vangelov-nominated-for-bulgarias-supreme-judicial-council ### 2026-08-04: Todor Deyanov nominated for Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council Todor Deyanov, deputy appellate prosecutor of Plovdiv, has been nominated by colleagues for a seat on Bulgaria's new Supreme Judicial Council, with the council expected to start in November. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/todor-deyanov-nominated-for-bulgarias-supreme-judicial-council ### 2026-07-31: Bulgaria tightens High Judicial Council rules, forms prosecutors' body Bulgaria's new judicial reforms tighten High Judicial Council selection rules, while prosecutors create the Independent Association of Bulgarian Prosecutors to oversee the process and boost judicial integrity. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-tightens-high-judicial-council-rules-forms-prosecutors-body --- Cite as: Bulgaria judicial council reforms and nominations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgaria-judicial-council-reforms