The Socialist majority is seeking changes to the justice reform. The amendments, signed by MP Olsi Komici, propose modifications to two laws: the one “On the Status of Prosecutors and Judges” and the one on the “Governing Bodies of the Justice System.”

The proposed changes, which require 84 votes, strengthen the filters for selecting members of the High Judicial Council (KLGJ) and the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP) who come from outside the justice system, such as the legal profession, civil society, or academia.

It is foreseen that the wealth and background integrity of candidates will undergo deeper verification by the Ombudsperson, including checks with tax authorities, prosecution offices, and other institutions.

Additionally, the proposals strengthen a competency of the Prosecutor General, whose opinion must be taken into consideration by the High Prosecutorial Council when choosing the heads of prosecution offices.

The initiative stipulates that no judge or prosecutor who has received a disciplinary measure may be appointed as the head of a court or prosecution office.

Until the process of electing new leaders is completed, a transitional provision states that current court and prosecution leaders who do not hold a formal appointment will be considered legally appointed until December 31, 2028.

In the explanatory note, MP Olsi Komici says that the content of the amendments is based on proposals from justice institutions themselves, and that the amendments have received the approval of the European Union delegation mission and the U.S. OPDAT mission.