The Socialist went to the Constitutional Court, asking this to establish the constitutionality of the law to assess the integrity of the candidates for member of the Superior Council of Magistracy and of the Superior Council of Prosecutors. Minister of Justice Sergiu Litvinenco said he regrets that the Party of Socialists, contrary to their statements and even electoral commitments, is so hostile to the justice sector reform, IPN reports.

BCS MP Vasile Bolea said the so-called pre-vetting law does not take into account the Venice Commission’s opinion and violates a number of constitutional norms. This law encroaches on the independence of courts of law and of the judiciary. The Constitution stipulates the separation of powers in the state, while the pre-vetting procedure violates this principle.

Vasile Bolea noted the existence of a commission that will pre-select candidates for SCM and SCP members is unconstitutional as it is not specified in the Constitution. This way, the prerogatives of the General Assembly of Judges and the General Assembly of Prosecutors, which are to choose members for the two institutions from among its members, are undermined.

In reaction, Minister of Justice Sergiu Litvinenco said that the gesture of the Socialists shows that they want the corrupt system that brought the country close to collapse to be kept. “The assertion that pre-vetting violates the principle of separation of powers in the state shows that they do not understand the principles on which the supreme law is based. The pre-vetting that was examined by the Venice Commission is designed to improve the quality of justice in the Republic of Moldova,” stated the minister.

The law concerning the selection of candidates for member of the self-managing bodies of the judges and prosecutors provides for the creation of a specialized commission for assessing the integrity of candidates for administrative posts in the Superior Council of Magistracy and the Superior Council of Prosecutors.