Bulgarian Justice Minister Margarita Popova has defended the statement delivered by her deputy Lyudmila Petrova, which exonerate Rumiana Jeleva of a conflict of interests in that, while a member of the European Parliament, she was also owner and manager of "Global Consult".

According to Petrova's statement, distributed on January 15, Rumiana Jeleva was found not to have violated any Bulgarian law, as the restriction on managing a company while in office was not applicable to her.

The Bulgarian Justice Ministry insists that the requirement for MEPs to step down from their companies cannot be applied to the Bulgarians in the European Parliament, since it was introduced not by law but by the Rules of Procedure of the Bulgarian National Assembly.

The Justice Minster has maintained that the Rules cannot be regarded as law. This argument has been criticized by lawyers and politicians alike, as erroneous.

Popova commented on their opinions by saying: "Let's cool down our emotions and, because of a particular attitude or desire to say how much we do not want a person to become an EC Commissioner, let us not offend against something that is clear, open and specific, and is based on Bulgarian legislation. We should reflect on [the situation] in a more normal and well-intentioned way."

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