CC EXPRESSES REGRET OVER CRITICISM FROM GOVERNMENT

The Constitutional Court (CC) expressed regret at the criticism of the government over the negative response of the Constitutional Court to the draft amendments to the Constitution for the judicial system. The press release of the Constitutional Court says that it is concerned that the criticism comes from the branch of government, which is obliged to be guided by the Constitution and the decisions of the Constitutional Court."

The CC pointed to the "lack of a mechanism in the draft to avoid institutional blockages in the process of appointing judges."

The Court held that, as proposed by the draft, "the termination of the mandates of the Supreme Council of Magistracy members from the academic environment upon the amendments to take effect is a disproportionate measure that will affect the independence of the members of the SCM."

The release states that the conclusion of the Constitutional Court does not prevent the government from refining the draft amendments to the Constitution and re-submitting the draft law to the Court for approval.

Earlier, the Constitutional Court rejected the draft amendments to the Constitution prepared by the government, which caused criticism. Minister of Justice Fadei Nagacevschii said that in this way the Constitutional Court "blocks the reform of justice" because the amendments are agreed with partners - the Venice Commission and the European Union, as well as relate to the terms of international treaties.