Bulgaria - October 2025

An institutional deadlock and dysfunction in judicial governance has left Bulgaria without a legitimate Prosecutor General since October. The country also lacks a functioning mechanism to appoint one and no immediate path to resolve the impasse. The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC)--whose mandate expired in 2022 following repeated snap elections that prevented parliament from electing new members--remains in office. However, amendments to the Judicial System Act adopted in January 2025 barred an expired mandate SJC from electing a Prosecutor General and introduced a six month limit on interim appointments. In line with these changes, on 2 October the Supreme Court of Cassation ruled that the mandate of Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov had expired on 21 July and that he lacks legal authority. With the SJC unable to appoint a successor, Sarafov continues to serve de facto despite the Court’s ruling.  

Sources: Novinite, BTA, Radio Free Europe, BNT, Vefassungsblog, Supreme Court of Cassation, Supreme Judicial Council (1), Supreme Judicial Council (2), The Sofia Globe