There is good progress, but a real competition for the CCU is required: the European Commission on Ukraine’s implementation of the “candidate recommendations”
According to the European Commission, Ukraine has made “good progress” regarding the reform of the Constitutional Court. Nevertheless, the European Union suggests that Ukraine should prioritise amending the procedure for appointing judges of the Constitutional Court, aligning it with the recommendations put forth by the Venice Commission, and initiate the selection process accordingly. “European Pravda” has reported these remarks as part of the European Commission’s oral interim evaluation regarding Ukraine’s implementation of the “candidate” recommendations for joining the EU.
We hope that the MPs will take into account the opinion of the experts of the Venice Commission and make amendments to the current version of draft law No. 9322, which was voted for on June 10, 2023, in the first reading. It is of utmost importance to also heed the concerns voiced by the public and remove the provision regarding rating voting for candidates based on the votes of the Advisory Group of Experts’ members. Furthermore, it is crucial to ensure that the results of the competition can only be challenged on formal grounds and not on the merits. Our further European integration depends on the proper implementation of the reform of the Constitutional Court, and this is now in the hands of the MPs since the draft law is currently being prepared for the second reading.
According to this assessment, Ukraine has also fully fulfilled two of the seven conditions related to the judiciary and mass media necessary to open accession negotiations. With respect to the rest, the achieved progress is noted. In particular, restarting the High Council of Justice (HCJ) and forming the High Qualifications Commission of Judges (HQCJ).
The assessment “completed” is given if everything is implemented, “good progress” means that the criteria are more than 50% fulfilled (namely: important measures have been taken, but some have not yet been implemented), “some progress” – less than 50% fulfilled and “no progress” if no priority steps have been taken.
