Constitutional Court Rejected Dodon’s Request regarding Amendments to Superior Council of Magistracy Law

On January 27, the Constitutional Court (CC) rejected President Igor Dodon’s motion to verify the constitutionality of amendments to the law on the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) adopted by the parliament last December. On December 29, Dodon applied to the Constitutional Court regarding amendments that provide for the board extension by two members - professors in the field of law. In his motion, Igor Dodon asked for clarification as to whether a majority of votes is necessary for their appointment by the parliament. In addition, Igor Dodon asked the Constitutional Court to clarify whether it is constitutional that the SCM can be headed only by a SCM member, who is also a judge. The president also asked whether it is constitutional that only a judge who has worked for at least three years and who has no disciplinary violations during this period can become a SCM member. The CC rejected the president’s request. Recall that earlier the Venice Commission expressed regret about amendments to the law “On the Superior Council of Magistracy” that were adopted by Moldovan authorities without holding prior consultations with the commission. Experts had fewer questions about the law itself. Thus, they positively estimated that the number of members of the Council will increase from 12 to 15. The commission particularly noted that more representatives of the first instance courts will join the council.