This policy brief examines the frameworks governing prosecutorial councils in North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to assess whether their laws ensure adequate independence in line with European standards. The rule of law and an independent justice system are fundamental to the European Union’s enlargement process, particularly within the crucial Chapter 23. A cornerstone of this judicial independence is a robust prosecution system protected by prosecutorial councils, which govern the careers, evaluation, and disciplinary accountability of prosecutors while shielding them from political interference. Because a council’s ability to safeguard prosecutorial integrity relies heavily on its composition, appointment procedures, and functional autonomy, the brief evaluates how well the current frameworks in these two countries support their broader EU accession goals.
