Skopje, 1 May 2024 (MIA) - The current situation in the judiciary is a result of the vetting that was reduced merely to rhetoric and not implemented, says VMRO-DPMNE presidential candidate Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.

"The vetting could have been carried out as evaluation or re-evaluation when selecting candidates, because the general vetting means that everyone is let go and thus we have a problem. This facility could have been used for any nominee. I am in favor of vetting for politicians first, even retroactive. I believe that the present situation is a result of the vetting that was reduced merely to rhetoric and not implemented," Siljanovska-Davkova told a TV duel with SDSM candidate Stevo Pendarovski.

Pendarovski said the Judicial Council and the Council of Public Prosecutors have not been up to their task, but does not see the solution in dissolving the institutions but in improving the incoming staff through vetting.

"We can set up a new Judicial Council and Council of Public Prosecutors but I believe this should be done following an in-depth and precise vetting, assisted by foreign experts. It is of no use having another jusdicial council if similar people are put in there. Our problem in the rule of law is not a problem of one or two people who have been appointed here and there, but the problem is much bigger. We have a problem with the lack of quality, primarlity with their education, the way in which courts and prosecutor's offices are staffed, up to the delivery of justice and oftentimes injustice. Therefore, it is not only a change of regulations, we should change the way in which we select the staff. Not only the best students but people with integrity," says Pendarovski.

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