The President has recently initiated a competition for the second member’s position within the High Council of Justice (HCJ) under his quota. No one has been appointed to the first position yet.

The President made the timely announcement of a competition for the second member of the High Council of Justice under his quota. This decision comes as the HCJ is preparing to review disciplinary complaints against judges, and there are already approximately nine thousand such complaints, making it an appropriate move. However, the status of the previous competition raises concerns.

Since April, there have been no updates regarding the appointment of the first member of the High Council of Justice under the President’s quota. The competition commission had submitted a list of recommended candidates to President Zelensky some time ago, yet the decision has been consistently delayed.

We strongly urge the President not to postpone this crucial decision any further and to promptly appoint the first member of the HCJ under his quota. The HCJ is currently facing a substantial workload, and a capable HCJ is imperative. Furthermore, its reboot is a prerequisite for European integration, and this month, the European Commission is expected to provide a new evaluation of Ukraine’s progress in implementing the recommended reforms.