Supreme Court opens procedure to select its next head

The process for selecting the new president of the Supreme Court has officially begun, ahead of the end of Sokol Sadushi’s three-year term.

Sadushi took over the leadership of the institution on October 17, 2023, while his term ends on October 17, 2026. Under the legal provisions, the procedure for selecting his successor begins 60 days before the end of the term.

The Supreme Court has issued a call to judges who meet the conditions set out by law and are interested in taking over its leadership.

Interested candidates must submit their applications by September 11, 2026. Along with a written application, each candidate must also submit a platform explaining their planned approach to leading the Supreme Court.

Once the application deadline has passed, the procedure will continue in accordance with the rules approved by the High Judicial Council during 2023. The selection will be made by the General Assembly of Supreme Court judges through a secret ballot and solely from among the members of this court.

Under the law on the status of judges and prosecutors, the president of the Supreme Court is elected for a three-year term and cannot be re-elected.

The new president’s term is expected to begin on October 18, 2026, immediately after Sokol Sadushi’s term ends on October 17, 2026. This is intended to ensure continuity in the institution’s leadership without creating a period of vacancy.