Judges are called on to ensure the supremacy of the Constitution, and the President, as the embodiment of the nation, cannot allow the good name of the body that is intended to be the main defender of the law to be called into question. This was said by President Rosen Plevneliev at a swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected members of the Constitutional Court.
“Among the citizens of Bulgaria and our European partners, there should not be the tiniest drop of doubt about the moral qualities of each of the judges,” the President underlined, and left the ceremony after three of the four newly-elected members of the Constitutional Court took the oath in the presence of the President, the President of the National Assembly and the Presidents of the Supreme Courts.
President Plevneliev reiterated that the Constitutional Court – the most important pillar of democracy in Bulgaria’s institutions – should include people only of the most decent and highest integrity.
“The reputation of the Constitutional Court is of the greatest importance for the country and democracy and this is based on the reputation of each of its members. For this reason, I want to be sure that every one of its members is of absolutely impeccable reputation,” the President said.
“I have received a letter from the Prosecutor’s office, which has made me even more convinced of my decision not to attend the swearing-in today of the last of the new candidates. Further, he has asked that this swearing-in not take place until the all circumstances regarding the signals and information available have been cleared up,” the President said.
“I consider that it is my duty not to allow the Constitutional Court to be hostage to personal interests and to have public confidence in institutions undermined, which would have only negative consequences, both in Bulgaria and abroad,” underlined President Plevneliev, who congratulated the three other judges who took the oath.