​CONSTITUTIONAL COURT APPROVES DRAFT ON CHANGING ITS COMPETENCE AND STRUCTURE

The Constitutional Court (CC) of Moldova has approved the legislative initiative on changing its competences and structure.

The draft, which has been approved at the Government meeting in the end of November, implies, in particular, the empowering of courts of all levels with the right to address to the CC for solving exclusive cases of unconstitutionality.

Besides, the Government proposed to raise the number of judges in the Constitutional Court from six to seven, moreover the seventh judge should be appointed by the President of the country. Currently, two CC members are being appointed by the Parliament, two – by the Government and two – by the Superior Council of Magistracy.

According to the bill, which got a positive conclusion in the Constitutional Court, the CC members’ term of office is proposed to be increased to 9 years, without the right of prolonging. The mandate of the Court, who have been in function before the law has entered into force, is extended by 3 years – to 9 years without the possibility of prolonging.

The Constitutional Court decided that the initiative of changing the Constitution does not violate the frames of revision, provided in the article #142 of the Main Law and may be presented to the Parliament for consideration. At the same time, the constitutional draft law may be adopted not earlier than 6 months after the day of the initiative presenting. If it is not considered within a year after this term expires, the CC conclusion is losing its power.