The Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) didn’t meet the deadline for designating a new judge of the Constitutional Court, this week being the third week during which it hasn’t come together for a meeting. After the meeting set for February 2 was put off, no other meetings took place. The SCM usually has ordinary meetings every Tuesday.

Contacted by IPN for details, Valeria Plămădeală, spokeswoman for the Council, said the SCM could not have a meeting because the quorum was not present as some of the members contracted the novel coronavirus. The new sitting set for February 16 will not be held as a number of SCM members are on medical leave.

The SCM must examine the Constitutional Court president’s February 1 request to nominate a constitutional judge following the death of Eduard Ababei. The competent authority must designate a judge within 15 days of the day the CC president makes a request.

As to the request, Valeria Plămădeală said that this is a subject of maximum importance and is to be examined by the SCM in conditions of transparency. But in the current conditions, the members of the SCM cannot come together. An extraordinary meeting of the SCM could be convened to examine the issue.

The CC has six judges who are appointed for a six-year-term. Two judges are designated by Parliament, two by the Government and two by the Superior Council of Magistracy. Eduard Ababei was nominated CC judge by the SCM in July 2019.