Skopje, 7 February 2025 (MIA) - The parliamentary groups of the ruling parties VMRO-DPMNE, "Worth It" coalition and ZNAM submitted to the legislative house on Friday a no-confidence motion against the members of the Judicial Council elected in the Parliament.

"I would like to remind you that the parliamentary group of VMRO-DPMNE and the coalition voted against the annual report on the operation of the Judicial Council for 2023, and it was not adopted by the Parliament. That speaks volumes and is just one of the many reasons why we are submitting this no-confidence motion today. The European Union and the public in the Republic of Macedonia have consistently pointed to serious shortcomings in the work of the Judicial Council, especially in terms of independence, transparency and accountability. Such observations are of crucial importance for the reform process in the judicial sector and the country's progress towards EU membership," VMRO-DPMNE's whip in Parliament, Nikola Micevski, told a press conference on Friday.  

He pointed out that the Judicial Council was expected to act on its own initiative in terms of reviewing the report.

"Namely, Article 100, paragraph 8, of the Law on the Judicial Council says that if the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia does not adopt the report, which has not been adopted, "it shall be a base for initiation of a discussion before the bodies that have elected the members of the Judicial council for assessment of their work in the Council". According to that Article, they themselves should have started reviewing the negative report submitted to the Parliament, which elects five of the 13 members of the Council itself. We have to find some kind of trigger to start a certain initiative, the law allows us to do so for part of the members that we have elected in the Parliament, because in the way that they are elected, the same representatives who elect them have the right to discuss and speak about their work. After the no-confidence vote, we will see the next steps by the Judicial Council," said Micevski.

According to him, resolving these challenges is necessary to restore trust in the judiciary and strengthen the rule of law.

"The Judicial Council is a key institution for the functioning of the rule of law in Macedonia. Therefore, every shadow of doubt in the work of its members must be thoroughly analysed, and the public should be confident that the Council works honestly, professionally and in the interest of the citizens. Our goal is to contribute and do everything within our constitutional and procedural powers and possibilities to enable a better, more efficient and independent judicial system that will mean and will bring great justice to every citizen of Macedonia equally," Micevski said.

He stressed that it was time to bring order to the ruined Macedonian judicial system through serious reforms and radical changes that, he noted, “will be the beginning of the end of the abuses, injustice, disappointments and negative practices in the judiciary in Macedonia.”

He called for support from all opposition parliamentary parties and all other MPs.

Photo: MIA