Marina Matić Bošković addressed the issue of judicial independence in EU Member States and candidate countries

Marina Matić Bošković, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Criminological and Sociological Research in Belgrade, Serbia, addressed judicial independence in EU Member States and candidate countries during the international seminar “Advances and Setbacks of Democracy in the European Space,” held on March 26–27, 2026. Drawing on her professional experience as a consultant for projects funded by the European Union, as well as for the World Bank, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE, she analyzed current trends of democratic backsliding and their impact on the autonomy of judicial systems across Europe.

She emphasized the need for stronger institutional safeguards to protect judicial independence, highlighting the importance of solid legal frameworks, accountability mechanisms, and respect for the rule of law. Bošković argued that reinforcing these protections is essential to maintaining democratic standards and ensuring the effective functioning of justice systems in both EU Member States and countries aspiring to join the Union.