The external evaluation of sitting judges is nearing completion. A challenge remains the lack of candidates

The EU Enlargement Report, approved by the European Commission, highlights the significant progress made by the Republic of Moldova in the field of justice, while vetting remains the driving force behind judicial reform, with a deadline set for 2026.

The external evaluation of sitting judges is in its final stages, yet a major challenge remains the lack of eligible candidates for vacant positions in the judiciary, stated Andrei Bivol, Chairperson of the Judicial Vetting Commission, during the TV Moldova 1 program În Context.

The extension of vetting deadlines specifically targets candidates for vacant positions. “There is a category of evaluation subjects that we have termed ‘unknown’ — namely, candidates for positions at the Supreme Court of Justice, Courts of Appeal, as well as presidents and vice-presidents of courts. We are still awaiting candidates from the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM). The Selection and Evaluation Board under the SCM must first assess the candidates’ professionalism, and only those who meet the criteria are forwarded to the Evaluation Commission. For this category, the deadline has been extended from 31 December 2025 to 31 December 2026,” explained Andrei Bivol.

📽️ Watch the full intervention to learn more about the progress of judicial reform and how vetting contributes to building an independent, credible, and trustworthy judiciary in the Republic of Moldova 🇲🇩.

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