President Maia Sandu said that the current stage is a turning point for the justice system and, by extension, for the entire society. In her opinion, change is possible – justice can once again become a symbol of equity, protection of rights, respect for the citizen, but this depends on all of us.
"We have a unique chance to prove that the Republic of Moldova can have a fair, efficient, European justice system. Let's not miss this opportunity," the head of state said at the General Assembly of Judges, which is taking place on Friday at the Palace of the Republic, IPN reports.
Maia Sandu said that the end of an essential and extremely sensitive stage is approaching – the extraordinary assessment of judges, which is more than a technical exercise and is also an institutional maturity test, an act of courage, a demonstration of the will to break with the past marked by compromises and toxic influences.
"Looking back, we can say with intercession that it was worth it because, despite resistance from particular parts of the system, we managed to pave the way for a real change," noted President Sandu.
The official believes that today the responsibility to carry out this cleanup up to the end is borne by the reformed institutions because the system is not entirely cleaned, there are still exponents of the old flaws.
"Those who commit abuses must be penalized by the system and must not be allowed to tarnish the image of justice," stressed the head of state.
The chairman of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) Sergiu Caraman said that, without exaggeration, it can be said that 2024 was the year of challenges, but also of courageous decisions.
"It was a year in which the functionality of the courts was put to the test and yet, together, we succeeded. With sustained effort, with quick and adapted solutions, we kept justice moving," said the head of the SCM.
According to him, despite all the difficulties, the courts functioned, the cases were solved, and the citizens' trust in justice was maintained. In 2024, the courts solved over 225,000 cases. It is a figure that speaks for itself about the dedication and responsibility of the system.
"Changes are not easy. Sometimes transformations come with uncertainty or even additional pressure, but they are necessary and what is more important, they already produce results," noted Sergiu Caraman.
The General Assembly of Judges is to examine the Superior Council of Magistracy’s progress report on the organization and functioning of the judicial system in 2024 and to elect a new member of the SCM.
