Yesterday, the Socialist majority tried for the third time to pass through Parliament an amendment to the so-called Status Law, which would give the High Council of Justice (KLD) and the Temporary General Prosecutor the right to appoint new judges and prosecutors graduating Magistrate School.
This amendment would have needed at least 84 votes to pass, but the Socialist majority, alongside its allies, are unable to amass more than 78. Consequently, some opposition MP votes are necessary.
The opposition had declared beforehand that it would not participate in any parliamentary session.
The amendments to the laws have been proposed by the Socialist Party and would grant the High Council of Justice and the Temporary General Prosecutor the right to appoint new judges and prosecutors.
After the changes brought by the Justice Reform, this right belongs exclusively to the High Judicial Council (KLGj) and the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP), institutions that have yet to be completed as a result of the many vetting delays.
PD and LSI have opposed these amendments from the beginning, arguing that passing this bill would mean the Socialist government, which has appointed the Temporary General Prosecutor Arta Marku, and members of KLD, including Minister of Justice Etilda Gjonaj, would have total de facto control over the entire judicial system.
