Moldova's Supreme Council of Magistracy reconvenes; Romanian judges demand court leadership reforms

The Moldovan Supreme Council of Magistracy (CSM) held a session on 21 July 2026, its first after a month-long hiatus. The agenda listed 26 items, including three external evaluation reports and the consideration of seven candidates for judicial appointments. The meeting also addressed ancillary matters such as a 23‑centime increase in gasoline prices, a 46‑centime rise in diesel, a travel advisory urging Moldovan citizens to avoid non‑essential trips to the Middle East, and the completion of integrity checks on two prosecutors.

In Romania, CSM member Judge Ramona Grațiela Milu published an analysis showing that delegations now dominate the appointment of court leadership positions. Data from the CSM website reveal that in major courts—such as the Bucharest Tribunal and several appellate courts—most senior roles are filled by delegated judges rather than through competitive selection. Milu argues this practice threatens judicial independence and calls for legislative and administrative reforms to restore merit‑based appointments.