CONSTITUTIONAL MOMENT OR FAILURE: CONSTITUTIONAL POLITICS IN BULGARIA 2020

Constitutional politics in Bulgaria is rather transient and unpredictable process. Constitutional changes very often follow not established principles and standards, but the logic of political expediency of the moment. Upholding the independence of the judiciary in the context of declining rule of law and democratic standards is a challenging matter. After 30 years of democratic experience, Bulgaria has not completed key institutional reforms in the judicial branch. Constitutional amendments are again on the political agenda concerning the structural division of the Supreme Judicial Council that will ensure independence of the judiciary, and the need of accountability and effective procedure of dismissal of the over-powerful Prosecutor General. How to mobilize political and public support for the amendments implementing established European standards remains a crucial task for the Bulgarian political elite and the civil society to work out. Key words: constitutional politics, the rule of law, judicial reforms, accountability of the prosecution, European standards, civic engagement and mobilization .