Vigenin on Sarafov's resignation: A different wind is blowing, but real judicial reform is yet to come

““Borislav Sarafov’s resignation to some extent shows that a different wind is blowing, that changes are expected and that he has no intention of staying on the front line to defend a status quo that no longer has political backing. But the real reform is yet to come.” This was stated by Kristian Vigenin, MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, commenting on judicial reform and Borislav Sarafov’s resignation.​​ ​ ​ ​ Bulgarian ​ ​ ​

According to Vigenin, there is a risk that the changes will stay on the surface if there is no real political will for a deep transformation of the system. “There is some risk that this will simply be the start of a regrouping within the system, because it is capable of that too. But everything depends above all on the political will of the majority,” he warned. ​

In his words, the important question is not only who will take the leading positions, but what kind of people will be elected to the Supreme Judicial Council and by what criteria, and what signal will be sent to the system itself. ​ ​ “Another important question is how the system itself will respond from within, because changes at the top are important, but even more important is what process will start inside the judiciary,” Vigenin commented. ​ He pointed out that critical voices in the judiciary have often been under pressure until now, and that is exactly why the present moment could prove to be a turning point. ​​ “The question is whether this change at the top will open up an opportunity for the system to start cleaning itself up from within. That is the big challenge,” the MEP believes.

Kristian Vigenin believes that reform cannot be left solely in the hands of politicians: “We cannot just wait for MPs or prime ministers to solve the problem. Change must also come from the people inside the system who want it to work properly.”. T​

Asked whether Sarafov should stay in the system as an ordinary investigator, Vigenin replied that any inspections against him should continue. “The fact that he no longer holds these posts does not mean he cannot be investigated and checked. What has been started should, in my view, logically continue,” he believes. In his words, if violations are found, there must also be accountability.​ ​ ​

On the illegal construction near Varna, Vigenin expressed serious doubts about the origin of the money used to build the properties. “Which investor would put so much money into something they know is illegal?” he asked rhetorically. In his view, the case bears clear signs of corruption and political cover, as the institutions were informed but construction continued.

“This means that this is money that most likely comes from smuggling and mafia deals. When the institutions knew about it, the local authorities, the State Agency for National Security and the Ministry of Environment and Water, and everything still went on, well, who provides cover and puts themselves at risk unless they are well enough compensated?” the MEP asked rhetorically.. ​ – ​ – ​​​ “The whole scheme must be completely unravelled,” Vigenin said. He said that the clearest sign that there is order in the country would be if the illegal buildings were demolished or confiscated for public needs. ​​ ​

The MEP also addressed measures against high prices and the economic situation in the country. In his words, a balance must be found between protecting consumers and supporting business. ​ “We must not allow certain measures to punish small and medium-sized businesses, which are already under serious pressure in a difficult economic situation. We should not go to extremes,” he warned. ​ ​

Vigenin also commented on visa-free travel to the US and linking it to the deployment of American aircraft in Bulgaria. “Such an approach is illogical and will not produce results,” he said, explaining that lifting visas depends on clear criteria, mainly the visa refusal rate. ​ ​​ “For me, the more important question is a different one: Bulgarian society does not have enough information about what exactly is happening with the aircraft deployed here, what missions they carry out and whether there are risks for Bulgaria. We need, first, full transparency and, second, let us say that the BSP is firmly against these aircraft staying there,” he said..​ – ​ In his view, Bulgaria must not be drawn, even indirectly, into a war that has no adequate end, and we should in no way feel committed to it. ​, ​,​

On the foreign policy situation and the war in Ukraine, the MEP said that Europe needs a new approach and a stronger emphasis on diplomacy. “The European Union has no clear plan for a peaceful solution. I can agree with what Radev said, that Europe needs a new policy and that the European Union has no plan for Ukraine. And for there to be such a plan, Europe must start talking more actively about diplomacy, not only about military support. For there to be a plan and peace, the European Union must also start talking to Russia. Sooner or later this will be inevitable,” Kristian Vigenin concluded. ​​ ​ ​. ​ ​​ ​ ​ ​ ​, ​ ​​​ ​