At a debate on Tuesday, Constitutional Court President Kostadinovski said his institution had been responsible when it had made in February the decision concerning the Criminal Code changes because it had been considering multiple potential scenarios to prevent a legal vacuum.
He also warned there was a systemic problem, i.e. a surplus of impunity and a deficit of accountability, which, in his view, is becoming a way of life. EU Ambassador Rokas said Criminal Code reform was essential and there was no time to waste.
He stressed that the 2023 changes had caused serious consequences that had worsened due to a lack of resources and delays in court processes. The EC’s recommendation, the Ambassador noted, is for the country to adopt a code aligned with European standards.