**Ukraine’s Constitutional Court Appointments: A Test of EU Commitment**
As Ukraine continues its journey toward European integration, the strength of its democratic institutions remains a top priority. Among these institutions, the Constitutional Court plays a vital role in protecting citizens’ rights and upholding the rule of law. However, despite its importance, the court still lacks the judges needed for full functionality, with six out of 18 seats remaining vacant.
This situation is particularly concerning as Ukraine works to demonstrate its commitment as an EU candidate country. The lack of judges has led to a shortage of quorum in the Grand Chamber sessions, which requires the presence of at least 10 votes to adopt decisions. This crisis prompted the Venice Commission to recommend depoliticizing the judge selection process.
**A Missed Opportunity for Reform**
The reform of the Constitutional Court is one of Ukraine’s biggest challenges. However, despite efforts to address this issue, progress has stalled. In January 2025, three Constitutional Court judges completed their terms, leaving the court without the necessary quorum. For five months, the court was unable to hold Grand Chamber sessions.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s appointment of Oleksandr Vodiannikov as a judge on June 28 restored the quorum, but the underlying problem remains unsolved. The reform of the Constitutional Court is crucial for Ukraine’s European aspirations, and its failure to implement this reform in practice risks undermining its credibility with European partners.
**A Test of Institutional Maturity**
The appointment of Constitutional Court judges has become a litmus test for Ukraine’s European future. It is time for Ukraine’s political leadership to pass this test by completing the appointments without further delay. The technical work is done, and the candidates are ready; all that is missing is the political decision.
By taking this step, Ukraine would not only fill in the vacancies within the Constitutional Court but also reaffirm its unwavering commitment to the European path. This would prove that even in the darkest hours of war, Ukraine remains dedicated to building a democratic, law-binding state worthy of EU membership.
**A Message to Europe**
The failure to appoint Constitutional Court judges sends a troubling signal about Ukraine’s commitment to European integration. While Ukrainian soldiers defend European values on the battlefield, the failure to appoint judges suggests that the political elite may not be equally committed to defending those values through institutional reform.
This disconnect between wartime sacrifice and peacetime governance could prove costly for Ukraine’s European aspirations. The solution is straightforward: Parliament and the president must immediately appoint the vetted candidates recommended by the Advisory Group of Experts (AGE).
**A Call to Action**
Ukraine cannot afford to leave its Constitutional Court in limbo with a limited quorum. Every day without a functioning Court would be a day when citizens’ constitutional rights go unprotected and when crucial wartime decisions would lack proper constitutional review.
The appointment of Constitutional Court judges is not just a matter of filling vacancies; it is a test of Ukraine’s institutional maturity required for EU membership. By completing these appointments, Ukraine would demonstrate its commitment to European integration beyond rhetoric to concrete action.
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