The Judicial Council clarified that despite the annulled dismissal of President Dameva, the validity of decisions made during Sashko Georgiev’s presidency until his resignation remains unaffected. The Council emphasized that acts passed during that period hold legal authority.

However, the “All for Fair Trials” Coalition countered, stating that the annulment of Dameva’s dismissal nullifies decisions based on that action, including the election of a new president. They questioned the Council’s acceptance of the termination of a mandate that was deemed to have never taken effect.

Following an emergency session, the Judicial Council accepted Georgiev’s resignation and reinstated Dameva as president in compliance with the Administrative Court’s ruling that her dismissal in May 2023 lacked grounds.

The court’s ruling highlighted the Council’s failure to substantiate reasons behind Dameva’s dismissal, which was initiated by Vice President Selim Ademi. Dameva had filed a lawsuit challenging her dismissal, prompting public and judicial expert outcry regarding procedural irregularities.

Additionally, an EU peer review mission provided 40 recommendations on improving the Judicial Council’s functioning in response to Dameva’s dismissal.