The judges who are running for the High Council of Justice (HCJ) and the prosecutors competing for the High Council of Prosecution (HCP) are passing through the filters of vetting bodies. Meanwhile, the members that Parliament appoints for each institution, coming from the ranks of lawyers, lecturers of law and civil society, are verified by the International Monitoring Operation (IMO).
Parliament is ready to start work for the election of its members, according to Top Channel, but it is waiting for the assessment of foreigners and for the three candidates of the civil society for the vacancy at the HCP. The candidates of the civil society for the HCP arrived in Parliament after the parliamentary session was closed. The lack of candidates for this institution also caused the stalemate for the election of the new prosecutor general.
�Undoubtedly, there were strict criteria because we are talking about the election of the government of the judiciary,� said Vasilika Hysi, Vice Speaker of Parliament.
Hysi assisted the justice reform in every step during the past legislature, while she underlined that there is no reason for delays at this phase. �Every deadline is related to the moment when we will receive the list with all the candidates by the general secretary, while IMO will also complete the assessment,� said the vice speaker.
According to her, from this moment the work starts within 24 hours at the Law Committee, the MPs of which will have in their hands two lists with the names that meet and don�t meet the criteria. They are assessed by a sub-commission with three members from the majority and two from the opposition. �The commission votes the candidates with four votes. In case the four votes are not obtained, than the lots shall be cast,� declared Hysi.
Once the two unique lists with five names for HCJ and five for HCP, the Parliament has seven days for their approval by 2/3 of votes. If election fails than the sub-commission sends another list within two days. Even if Parliament concludes its work on time, the establishment of HCP and HCJ depends on the pace with which the vetting bodies will verify the judge and prosecutor candidates.
However, the Deputy Speaker said she is optimistic for the new bodies of the justice system will be completed by spring.