North Macedonia Court Orders Revision of Criminal Code Amendments

On February 13, 2025, North Macedonia's Constitutional Court initiated a procedure to review controversial amendments to the criminal code passed in 2023, which had resulted in the expiration of numerous high-level corruption cases.

The court found that the amendments violated constitutional principles, including the rule of law and the protection of property rights. It ordered the parliament to revise the provisions within six months to rectify the constitutional breaches. Failure to do so could lead to the annulment of the amendments.

Critics argued that the 2023 amendments were passed under the false pretext of aligning with European Union requirements and had contributed to legal anarchy and chaos. The court's decision underscores the necessity of adhering to constitutional norms and the rule of law in legislative processes.

This ruling highlights the judiciary's role in safeguarding democratic principles and ensuring that legislative actions do not undermine the legal order or facilitate impunity for corruption.