North Macedonia has formally requested urgent opinions from the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe on two significant draft laws. The requests, submitted by the President of the Government and the Minister of Justice, concern legislation on adequate and fair representation, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the Council of Public Prosecutors. The Venice Commission is expected to review these drafts and submit its opinions at its 144th plenary session in October 2025.
Key Legal Reviews Underway
- North Macedonia is seeking expert legal assessment from the Venice Commission on critical legislative proposals.
Government Seeks Opinion on Representation Law
President of the Government, Hristijan Mickoski, initiated a request on July 11, 2025, for an urgent opinion on the draft law concerning adequate and fair representation within the Republic of North Macedonia. This move signals the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable representation as mandated by the proposed legislation.
Justice Ministry Requests Review of Prosecutorial Reforms
Following this, on July 24, 2025, Minister of Justice Igor Filkov submitted a request for the Venice Commission’s opinion on two separate draft laws. These pertain to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Council of Public Prosecutors. This indicates a focused effort to reform and strengthen the country’s prosecutorial system.
Venice Commission’s Role and Timeline
The Venice Commission, a key advisory body of the Council of Europe, will now undertake the review of these draft laws. The findings and recommendations are scheduled to be presented and endorsed during the Commission’s 144th plenary session, which will be held in Venice from October 9-10, 2025. This process is crucial for ensuring that the proposed legislation aligns with European standards and best practices in democratic governance and the rule of law.
Sources
- North Macedonia – Request for an Opinion, The Council of Europe.
- North Macedonia – Request for an Opinion, The Council of Europe.
