Skopje, 12 January 2026 (MIA) - Parliament elected Monday associate professor Arlinda Kadri-Shahinovikj and lawyer Suzana Joshevska-Anastasovska as new members of the Judicial Council proposed by President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.

Before the vote, President Siljanovska-Davkova presented her nominees for the Judicial Council, saying she picked them according to their professionalism and competencies as well as personal credibility, noting that judicial reforms should be implemented by individuals recognized in their field of work.  

“From the discussions here and in the public, it became clear that the Judicial Council has become a factor of crisis in the judiciary. I didn’t propose the two candidates only because they are women, but because they are professionals and competent individuals,” said the President.

Siljanovska-Davkova highlighted the importance of ethics as a condition for an independent judiciary in addition to professionalism and competence.  

“The Judicial Council is the microscope; it should consist of people who will have to assess based on their qualifications and based on their integrity and dignity. Legality, constitutionality, ethics is what matter most in the judiciary because only this kind of body can decide upon disciplinary responsibility, election and dismissal of judges, etc,” stated the head of state.

Reforms in the judiciary start in the Judicial Council, according to her.

“If in the Judicial Council we recruit people committed to law and who have the right qualifications, I believe it will pave the way for promoting the same criteria when electing judges,” Siljanovska-Davkova said.

MIA file photo