In just a few days, the outgoing prime minister has changed his mind again. This time Zaev changed his mind about vetting in the judiciary.

After the EU ambassador said that at this moment no such thing is needed, Zaev rushed to agree with him and explained that it was really not a moment for vetting and that only a few dishonest judges and prosecutors should be purged.

I expect that the institutions themselves, in accordance with the current regulation, which is the Law on Judicial Council and the Law on Courts and the Law on Anticorruption, will act according to the laws themselves. During such actions, they will make the purge, said Zaev on Monday.

EU Ambassador Zbogar opposes Zaev’s request for vetting of the judiciary

But that is quite the opposite of the statement he made on November 17 when he said full vetting in the judiciary was needed.

Here I am saying that there will be full vetting in the judiciary, both in the judiciary and the prosecution, Zaev said last month.

Zbogar said that the situation in the judiciary is not that bad and there are other ways for the judiciary to improve, first and foremost, from the inside, and sees no need for vetting of judges and prosecutors.

Our position on vetting is clear. I think we prefer to use all the other elements to improve the judiciary, which at the end of the day is not in such a bad situation in the country. There are many ways to improve the judiciary, first and foremost, from the inside. The judiciary needs to self-regulate, said the ambassador.

After the ambassador’s assessment, it becomes clear that the EU does not believe that this government can deliver quality judiciary vetting and that it will probably be left to the next government. The EU fears that Zaev will abuse the vetting to fight those judges and prosecutors who do not serve the Zaev family.