The Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) considers the information about the non-independence of the judiciary and about the fulfillment of political orders by some of the judges that is disseminated in the public sphere in the context of the early mayoral elections held in Chisinau can affect the credibility of justice and the independence and impartiality of judges, which are mandatory for ensuring the rule of law, IPN reports.

In a press release, the SCM called on civil society, the media outlets and political organizations to have a reasonable attitude to the court judgments as a sign of assumption of the democratic position and the balance between powers, the independence of justice and by maximally respecting the limits of the right to freedom of expression.

After the Chisinau City Court on June 19 decided to not validate the election of Andrei Nastase as mayor, the Appeals Court upheld this decision one day later. Under the argued judgment of the ordinary court, both Andrei Nastase and Ion Ceban campaigned on the election day, which is inadmissible according to the Election Code. Both of the candidates, through the agency of live streams on social networking sites, called on the electorate to vote. Even if these didn’t say who namely the people should vote for, the court decided that these actions had a significant impact on the voters’ option.

On June 25, the Supreme Court of Justice is to take an irrevocable decision in the case of the validation of the election of Andrei Nastase as mayor of Chisinau. The hearing starts at 3:30pm.