Moldovan justice to be reformed

Chisinau, 28 August /MOLDPRES/- A new concept of justice reform was presented today at the Ministry of Justice. The event was attended by the Head of State, Prime Minister, Speaker and Minister of Internal Affairs.

The new concept, which also provides changing the way of electing the Prosecutor General, was presented by Minister of Justice Olesea Stamati. Following the reform, we will have twice as few judges at the Supreme Court of Justice / CSJ /, and those who remain will be evaluated by a special commission which will include foreign experts. The same commission will check heads and deputy heads of the Courts of Appeal.

Large changes will also be made at the Superior Council of Magistracy, out of the six judges, three will be elected at the level of the first court, two - of Appeal and one of CSJ. Not only magistrates but also prosecutors will be subject to evaluation, and specialized prosecutors’ powers will be reviewed. The Superior Council of Prosecutors / CSP / will be replaced by two members - one appointed by the Government and the other - from the Eastern Partnership civil society forum. The president of the Bar Association could also be part of the CSP.

Another component of the reform sees changing the way of choosing the Prosecutor General. Thus, it is proposed that it be chosen by the CSP on the basis of a short list proposed by the Ministry of Justice. It is also proposed to exclude the legal provision by which the candidates to this position were obliged to have five years experience in the prosecutor's offices.

President Igor Dodon said that the components of the ruling coalition have a political consensus on this issue, and the projects required to implement the reform will be discussed even at the beginning of the autumn session. "This reform is expected by citizens and partners, and we are confident that we will move quickly in this area," said Dodon.

Speaker Zinaida Greceanîi noted that the projects related to the justice reform will be submitted to public debates this week, and the parliamentary committee on rules and immunities will be responsible for it.

Prime Minister Maia Sandu said that the justice reform is the most important, as it will allow orders to be made in other areas. "There has been a great resistance from the system, I have seen that there is no will in the court system nor in the prosecutor's office for change. We need to clean up the system and know that it is not enough to write beautiful strategies. For this reason, it was necessary to change the way the new Prosecutor General will be elected, ”said the Prime Minister.

The draft laws included in the justice reform will be published on the website of the Ministry of Justice and will be subject to public debates.