Desislava Atanasova
Desislava Atanasova | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Judge in the Constitutional Court | |
| Assumed office 26 January 2024 | |
| Appointed by | National Assembly |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| In office 21 May 2013 – 24 January 2024 | |
| Constituency | Ruse (2013–2014) Montana (2014–2017) Razgrad (2017–2021) Ruse (2021–2024) |
| In office 14 July 2009 – 21 March 2012 | |
| Succeeded by | Petar Daskalov |
| Constituency | Ruse |
| Minister of Health | |
| In office 21 March 2012 – 13 March 2013 | |
| Prime Minister | Boyko Borisov |
| Preceded by | Stefan Konstantinov |
| Succeeded by | Nikolay Petrov |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 October 1978 |
| Party | GERB |
Desislava Valcheva Atanasova (Bulgarian: Десислава Вълчева Атанасова; born 8 October 1978) is a Bulgarian lawyer and politician serving as a judge of the Constitutional Court since 2024.[1] She was a member of the National Assembly from 2009 to 2012 and from 2013 to 2024.[2] From 2012 to 2013, she served as Minister of Health.[3] On 31 January 2025 Atanasova was chosen to represent Bulgaria in the Venice Commission.[4]
Early life and education
[edit]Desislava Atanasova was born on 8 October 1978 in Dulovo, Bulgaria.[5] She graduated with a master's degree in law from the University of National and World Economy in 2001.[6] She later obtained additional master's degrees in political science and diplomacy (2009) and in European integration (2011) from Veliko Tarnovo University.[6][3] She speaks English and Russian.[5]
Atanasova began her professional career as a judicial candidate at the District Court in Ruse in 2002.[3] She later worked as in-house legal counsel for medical institutions in Ruse between 2005 and 2009.[3] During this period, she was admitted to the Ruse Bar Association and practiced as a lawyer.[3]
Political career
[edit]Atanasova became active in politics as a member of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) party.[6] She was first elected to the National Assembly in 2009, representing Ruse.[6] From 14 July 2010, she chaired the parliamentary Committee on Health.[6][7]
On 16 March 2012, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov nominated her as Minister of Health, and she assumed office on 21 March 2012.[8][7] She served as health minister until 13 March 2013.[3]
After leaving the executive branch, Atanasova continued to serve in successive legislatures of the National Assembly.[6] She was a member of the Legal Affairs Committee and the Foreign Policy Committee in the 44th National Assembly.[5] She also chaired a temporary parliamentary commission tasked with drafting amendments to the Constitution in 2020.[5] In later legislatures, she led the parliamentary group of GERB–SDS.[3]
Constitutional Court
[edit]On 19 January 2024, the National Assembly elected Atanasova as a judge of the Constitutional Court from the parliamentary quota, together with Borislav Belazelkov.[9] She received the support of 159 members of parliament.[6] The two judges were sworn in on 26 January 2024 in a ceremony attended by senior judicial officials.[9] The President of Bulgaria challenged the constitutionality of the parliamentary election of the new judges before the Constitutional Court.[9]
In February 2025, the Council of Ministers selected Atanasova to represent Bulgaria in the Venice Commission, the advisory body of the Council of Europe on constitutional matters.[10] Borislav Belazelkov was appointed as her deputy.[10]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Desislava Atanasova, Borislav Belazelkov Sworn In as Constitutional Court Judges". Bulgarian News Agency. 26 January 2024.
- ↑ "Десислава Вълчева Атанасова". Strazha.bg (in Bulgarian).
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Коя е Десислава Атанасова, избрана за конституционен съдия (Биография)". Novinite.bg (in Bulgarian). 19 January 2024.
- ↑ "Desislava Atanasova will Represent Bulgaria in the Venice Commission". Bulgarian National Television. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Десислава Вълчева Атанасова". Народно събрание на Република България (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Коя е Десислава Атанасова, избрана за конституционен съдия (Биография)". Darik News (in Bulgarian). 26 January 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- 1 2 "Десислава Атанасова е новият здравен министър". news.bg (in Bulgarian). 16 March 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ↑ "Десислава Атанасова е новият министър на здравеопазването". Pariteni.bg (in Bulgarian). 16 March 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Desislava Atanasova and Borislav Belazelkov were sworn in as Constitutional Court judges". Bulgarian National Television. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- 1 2 "Desislava Atanasova will represent our country in the Venice Commission". Fakti.bg. 3 February 2025. Retrieved 8 March 2026.