Moldovan president supports extending the external evaluation of first-instance judges to advance justice reform
Maia Sandu emphasizes the need to extend the external evaluation of judges and prosecutors to first-instance magistrates, arguing that the justice reform cannot be left "halfway." The head of state notes that only about half of the judges who have undergone verification so far have passed the vetting process, highlighting the significant issues within the judicial system.
Maia Sandu, in a statement to Realitatea, highlighted significant concerns in the justice system, noting that only about 50% of judges passed a recent evaluation. She indicated that some judges opted out of the verification process, while others failed to meet the standards. It is essential, she said, that those who remain in the system are individuals who do not accept bribes and uphold the law.
The president emphasized that the evaluation of first-instance judges should be conducted by external vetting commissions rather than solely by the Superior Council of Magistracy. She argued that in a small system, there is a risk that decisions will be swayed by personal relationships among magistrates.
"There is more objectivity when financial verifications are conducted by this external commission," Sandu stated. "Our system is small, and people know each other. Even if there are honest members in the Superior Council of Magistracy, it doesn't always guarantee that the best decisions are made. I have witnessed examples that raise significant concerns."
When asked if extending the vetting process to first-instance judges could lead to an even greater shortage of magistrates, Sandu asserted that "keeping corrupt individuals in these institutions will not help anyone."
She also called for accelerating the evaluation of prosecutors, noting that the reform process is too slow for the prosecutor's office. "We hope that the commission for prosecutors will work more quickly, as several years have passed without much progress," Sandu pointed out.
It is important to note that the courts of the Republic of Moldova are experiencing a severe staffing crisis, with only 388 out of 524 judge positions filled. The situation is particularly dire at the Supreme Court of Justice, where only half of the positions are occupied.
The high workload and resignations due to external evaluations are primary factors contributing to this staffing crisis. Last year, each judge handled an average of 103 cases per month, up from 83 in 2024.
