Big promises for judicial reforms can turn into a double-edged sword. Changes in the constitution are now a fact but they would not magically solve the crisis in the sphere of justice. Even if changes were braver they just set the direction for reforms. Judicial reform was a top priority of the Reformist Bloc, which is part of the ruling government. What was proclaimed as a huge reform may turn out to have little effect because rocking the boat of a shaky ruling coalition has proved to be a dangerous game.

After last week the Minister of Justice Hristo Ivanov resigned and the leader of DSB Radan Kanev single-handedly voiced he no longer had confidence in the government, the Reformist Bloc was subjected to a stress test. After the meeting of the leaders of the five parties and five ministers appointed by the Bloc, it was decided that the Reformist Bloc would continue their participation in the ruling coalition. Democrats for Strong Bulgaria remains in opposition, and Healthcare Minister Petar Moskov continues to be a member of the cabinet, but resigned as deputy chairman of the DSB party.

"The Reformist Bloc confirms its participation in the ruling coalition. DSB keeps to its already expressed position. We confirm our trust in the ministers of the Reformist Bloc," Nayden Zelenogorski said in a special declaration.

Here is what Radan Kanev said about the situation.

“Most of the decisions taken by GERB, MRF, ABC and some other peripheral forces orchestrated by chairman of GERB party Tsvetanov, were decisions in favour of the status quo and solutions against reforms. This means that the greatest danger for the Reformist Bloc to become a cover for GERB has become a reality. We cannot participate in something like this," he added.

Political scientist Strahil Deliiski told us about his opinion over the behaviour of the DSB leader.

"In addition to all psychological and behavioural explanations, there is another one related to the way in which the RB was established. There were two principles. RB was created in order to allow fragments of the traditional rightist forces in Bulgaria to participate in the government and become a natural partner of GERB. From a marketing standpoint, RB was designed as a political coalition based on certain principles that were formulated as authentic rightist principles, different than those of GERB and PM Borissov. At one point it was clear that this structure would break apart. It turned out that the RB and DSB, in particular, agreed to obey the rules they previously said would fight by participating in coalition with GERB. Mr. Kanev realized that he was not that ready for political power yet and he decided to keep at least some of the potential for development on the territory of principles."

The Reformist Bloc called for a new coalition agreement with GERB:

"For us it is more realistic to sign a new coalition agreement and to try to refine the machine so that it works better for society and meet expectations for reforms,” Zelenogorski said. “If there are calls for early elections, I can tell you that I've seen this scenario several times and I know it ends. The end is that no part of the fragmented right will be in Bulgarian Parliament, and probably GERB will achieve their own majority."

"It is very difficult to talk about RB as a single political entity,” said Strahil Deliiski. “But those of RB who want to be part of the government need further clues that they are a factor in power. They have been looking for political initiatives that could present them as an important political force and tell voters  that their participation in the government is in the name of higher goals. This is unlikely to succeed because there is great disappointment among voters. Moreover, GERB do not view the RB as very important and key partner."

189 MPs from all parliamentary groups without BSP voted for the constitutional changes in the sphere of justice.

Reformers that went into opposition boycotted the vote once again. Whether because of this fact or not, PM Borissov decided to please the other 12 loyal MPs from the Reformist Bloc and declared there would be changes in the coalition agreement, which did not contain changesw in the Constitution.

English: Alexander Markov