Moldova to accelerate judge vetting after EU recommendations

President of Moldova Maia Sandu held a press conference today on recent developments in the judiciary, emphasizing the need to accelerate reforms to combat corruption and ensure an effective justice system.

The president noted that while some areas of the judiciary have improved thanks to ongoing reforms and the efforts of honest judges and prosecutors, in other areas measures remain insufficient. Sandu welcomed a recently adopted law by parliament expanding the extraordinary evaluation (vetting) process for certain first-instance judges, particularly those handling corruption-related cases since 2017, CE Report quotes MOLDPRES.

She highlighted that this measure aligns with the 2025 European Commission report recommending external evaluation of all judges specializing in anti-corruption cases, including first-instance judges.

“More and more worrying signals show sabotage and avoidance by some first-instance judges of important cases, hoping they will not be subjected to vetting. We need decisive action to have an incorruptible and effective judiciary, where anti-corruption efforts deliver results,” the president said.

She urged parliament, the Ministry of Justice, the Superior Council of Magistracy, and other relevant bodies to urgently consider measures within a working group to:

review the vetting mechanism to expand the categories of judges subject to extraordinary evaluation;

and/or accelerate internal procedures of the Superior Council of Magistracy for evaluating judges’ performance.

As reported by CE Report, Sandu also highlighted another serious issue: convicted individuals avoiding serving their sentences. She stressed that the Transnistrian region is increasingly used to evade justice, and current search procedures are slow and often ineffective.

“I ask the government to improve the existing legal framework and take necessary legislative measures to prevent convicts from avoiding sentences, including simplifying procedures for locating persons after sentencing and arrest measures for sentence enforcement,” she said.

Finally, President Sandu emphasized the importance of recognizing and valuing the efforts of honest judges and prosecutors who perform their duties responsibly despite pressure from corrupt groups. She stressed that all judges and prosecutors at all levels must demonstrate proper and diligent conduct, and that justice reforms will continue.