Deputies in the plenary session of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova. Photo source: Parliament of the Republic of Moldova March 2026 Justice reform: one step forward, two steps back Topics of the edition: 1 ­Alexandru Tănase, The former President of the Constitutional Court and Minister of Justice: Justice is an indispensable element of the rule of law that must deliver justice, not resonate with the political system 2 ­Mariana Rață, TV8 journalist: Von Hebel and PACCO: Black Marks on Justice Reform 3 ­Mariana Kalughin, anti-corruption expert: Any reform risks losing credibility if it is implemented in disregard of fundamental principles 4 ­Alexandr Berlinschii, Member of Parliament from Our Party: We must not have a televised justice system—or, even worse, a politicized one T he fight against corruption, vetting, and justice reform as a whole represent key pillars of the Republic of Moldova’s European path and of the broader transformation of society toward a democratic, Western-oriented model. In this context, the March editi­on of the FES/APE Foreign Policy Bulle­tin provides a comprehensive overview of these processes, bringing together four contributions that examine recent developments in the justice system from multiple perspectives. The contributions reflect both the conti­nued importance of reform and the chal­lenges that accompany its implemen­tation. In her interview for the bulletin, anti-corruption expert Mariana Kalughin points to potential risks related to politi­cal influence and notes that instruments such as vetting and PACCO may have complex effects on the independence of the judicial system. In the editorial of this edition, journalist Mariana Rață reviews the process throu ­gh which several recent reforms have been advanced, highlighting concerns related to timing, transparency, and legislative procedure. From the debate surrounding the Hebel case to the initi­ative to merge prosecutor’s offices into a future PACCO structure, the editorial draws attention to aspects of the reform process that may influence its overall credibility. From a political perspective, Alexandru Berlinschii, Member of Parliament from Our Party, emphasizes in an interview that justice reform remains necessary, while also underlining the importance of broader political consensus in advancing such reforms. He also raises questions regarding the role of vetting mechanisms and certain appointments in shaping perceptions of the process. At the same time, former Minister of Justice and President of the Constituti­onal Court, Alexandru Tănase, offers an assessment of the reform, noting that while it has contributed to addressing some systemic issues, it has also faced challenges related to pace, communicati­on, and public perception. Through these contributions, the March edition aims to present a balanced and nuanced picture of justice reform in the Republic of Moldova—situated between its strategic importance, European expec­tations, and the practical challenges of implementation. Foreign Policy Association together with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung offer you a newsletter on foreign policy and European integration issues of the Republic of Moldova. The newsletter is part of the“Foreign Policy Dialogue” joint Project. Monthly newsletter, No.3(241), March 2026 1