Unusual division among Trade Commission judges may impact future nominations, constitutional advocates caution
In the heart of Portugal's political landscape, reforms aimed at enhancing the role of judges in selecting appellate judges within the Constitutional Tribunal (TC) and other high courts are underway. The Administrative and Tax Courts High Council (CSTAF) has proposed amending statutes to ensure that at least half of the panel selecting appellate judges are judges themselves. This intention is reflected in a draft law approved by the Council of Ministers for submission to the Assembly [1].
However, as of mid-2025, these reforms remain partially implemented. The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) evaluation in July 2025 notes progress but not full completion of recommendations on judicial appointments transparency and independence [1].
The broader political debate surrounding the balance of institutions and the political pact between Portugal’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Socialist Party (PS) is a complex issue that the search results do not provide direct information or updated details on, specifically in relation to judicial appointments in 2025.
Meanwhile, at the European Union level, debates focus on transparency, fairness, and gender balance in the selection process of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and the Article 255 Committee that assesses judicial candidates’ suitability. Scholars emphasize the evolving nature of the committee’s role in judicial selection [2].
In summary, judicial appointment reforms in Portugal are ongoing, with a focus on enhancing judges' role in the selection process. The GRECO report monitors the progress of these reforms, but there are outstanding elements that remain. The political pact between PSD and PS and its influence on judicial appointments in Portugal, as well as specific judicial appointments within the TC, require further targeted sources or updates beyond July 2025 for detailed information. At the EU level, the focus is on improving transparency, fairness, and gender balance in the selection process.
[1] GRECO Evaluation Report 113, Portugal, 2025. [2] European Parliament, Improving Transparency, Fairness, and Gender Balance in the Selection of Judges at the European Union Level, 2023.
- The ongoing judicial appointment reforms in Portugal, as highlighted by the GRECO evaluation report, aim to improve the role of judges in the selection process of appellate judges, but progress remains incomplete, particularly in terms of transparency and independence.
- Meanwhile, at the European Union level, policy-and-legislation discussions revolve around enhancing transparency, fairness, and gender balance in the selection process of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the Article 255 Committee, reflecting the general-news focus on judicial appointments.
