Ten days after issuing a stern warning to Bulgaria's Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), Justice Minister Margarita Popova renewed her war of words with the country's highest judicial administrative body. Speaking to private broadcaster Nova Televiziya on September 21, Popova said she would ask for the resignations of SJC members that showed no willingness to help the Cabinet in its reform efforts.

Popova's initial statement, delivered on September 11 in a meeting meant to brief the SJC on the minister's trip to the European Commission’s headquarters in Brussels, called on the council to stop acting passively, become more pro-active and, above all, adopt transparent policy-making when making appointments or amending laws.

Popova was backed by some members of the SJC and the union of judges, but drew a sharp rebuke from the SJC, which qualified the criticism as attempts to influence the council's work. One SJC member went as far as to accuse critics of "doing the work of the organised crime".

Asked to comment on that statement, Popova said: "If they think that the Judges Union, the Justice Ministry and the chairperson of the Supreme Court of Cassation want to get rid of the SJC because we work for organised crime, there is nothing left for them but submit their resignations."

SJC will next meet on September 24, when Popova plans to ask for an official answer to her initiative for structural changes and transparent appointments.