The Committee on Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation, and Institutional Oversight on Tuesday opened debates on amendments to two laws related to the justice reform, without the participation of opposition lawmakers. The aim of these amendments is to address issues identified by judicial institutions and to strengthen the structure of the reform.

The proposed changes предусматривают the inclusion of students of the School of Magistrates in the vetting process, through an in-depth investigation of their assets. Another amendment concerns decisions of the High Prosecutorial Council and the High Judicial Council, which would be anonymous, yet clear and accessible to the media and the public—a request put forward by the Union of Judges.

“An emergency backlog. The Union of Judges proposes extending the retirement age for judges,” said Olsi Komici, emphasizing the need for further discussion.

The chairman of the committee, Fatmir Xhafaj, described this proposal as “a welcome issue for discussion.”

The presented amendments also aim to strengthen mechanisms of accountability, meritocracy, and transparency for the academic staff of the School of Magistrates. Improvements to the system of competition and initial training for legal advisers and assistant lawyers in courts and prosecution offices are also in focus.