Constitutional Court celebrates 30th anniversary

We are in a decisive phase of the country's European path, and judicial reforms and the strengthening of the rule of law are essential for democratic cohesion. President of the Constitutional Court (CC) Domnica Manole made the statement at the international conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the CC of the Republic of Moldova.

The event brings together judges and experts from the Court of Justice of the EU, as well as the Constitutional Courts of Austria, Latvia, Ukraine, France, Romania, the Czech Republic, the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission.

In the opening of the event, Domnica Manole emphasized that national and international experts will discuss contemporary challenges in the functioning of European Constitutional Courts. According to her, the topic reflects the belief that in an era marked by geopolitical, democratic, and social crises, the role of Constitutional Courts is more important than ever.


“Today's meeting highlights the importance of dialogue between constitutional jurisdiction institutions. Thus, Constitutional Courts are called to protect the legal order in the face of unprecedented challenges. It involves the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, which threaten fundamental rights and freedoms. Furthermore, geopolitical pressures turn justice into a testing ground for loyalty and legitimacy. These topics are extremely important for the present and future of our institutions, and the conference provides the opportunity to address these challenges in the spirit of European cooperation and solidarity,” said Domnica Manole.


She mentioned that for the Republic of Moldova, this dialogue has a dual significance, since “we are in a decisive phase of the European path, with judicial reforms being implemented and the rule of law being strengthened.”


“The CC has established that European integration is a constitutional value, hence essential benchmarks must be deduced: the independence of justice is non-negotiable, institutional dialogue must be loyal and transparent, the protection of fundamental rights must be at the base of every reform. European integration is not a path we undertake alone, we need to strengthen dialogue between European Constitutional Courts and create convergent jurisprudence and adopt good practices. Thus, today's conference must become a platform for active cooperation,” stated Domnica Manole.


In this context, the CC has proposed the initiation of an annual informal forum of Constitutional Courts in Central and Eastern Europe, which will be hosted in rotation.


“We also propose the creation of a comparative compendium of jurisprudence on exceptional states and constitutional crises, accessible to courts in the region. We will continue to strengthen institutional cooperation with the Court of Justice of the EU, the Venice Commission, and the Council of Europe in professional training and exchange of experience. We thank the EU and the Council of Europe for their continuous contribution to strengthening the rule of law in the Republic of Moldova,” added Domnica Manole.


Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova Máté Csicsai said that since the country's independence, the CC has had quite a challenging task – promoting the rule of law, protecting the constitutional order, and guiding the country during deep political transitions.


“The CC is at the center of democracies and represents a guarantor of its foundation. The court has had a major impact in the last decade, when the Association Agreement with the EU was signed. The CC must ensure that national legislation meets European standards in human rights, anti-corruption, and judicial independence. Likewise, national jurisprudence should be aligned with the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Republic of Moldova aims to become an EU member state, and in this context, the role of the CC becomes even more significant,” remarked the official.


He also added that an impartial and robust judicial system is essential for European integration, which is why the emphasis is on what is related to the rule of law and the rule of law.


“We welcome your efforts in aligning national legislation with international standards. Other priorities are judicial reform and equitable access to justice. The path to the European Union is based on the rule of law, fundamental human rights, prosperity, and stability. These are universal principles that form the basis of a democratic society. We are ready to provide support and expertise, and today we will exchange good practices and experience, which is extremely valuable. Let's strengthen the rule of law for a European Moldova,” said Máté Csicsai.


The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova was founded 30 years ago. The institution is the sole authority that exercises constitutional jurisdiction. The CC is independent from the legislative, executive, and judicial power and is subject only to the Constitution. The institution guarantees the supremacy of the Constitution, ensuring the realization of the principle of separation of powers in the state, as well as the state's responsibility towards the citizen and the citizen's responsibility towards the state.