Romanian magistrates blame EC for undermining country’s judiciary

Magistrates’ associations in Romania have severely criticised the European Commission for negotiating with the Romanian government, without prior consultation of magistrates, about the so-called “reform” of the special pensions that is allegedly likely to “undermine the independence and functionality of the judiciary," G4media.ro reported.

The associations sign an open letter “urging the European Commission to demand the Romanian government to immediately suspend the so-called reform of the magistrates’ service pensions, a reform that is completely non-transparent and irresponsible, and, according to governmental sources, endorsed by the European Commission.”

The associations claim to be “unacceptable and outrageous” that now the European Commission not only endorses but “actively participates in hidden negotiations with political parties regarding the status of magistrates.”

“Hundreds of judges have already left in the past 12 months, and over 1,100 judicial positions are currently unfilled. The entire system is on the verge of collapse due to an overwhelming workload and an insufficient number of judges, compounded by ongoing threats to our status as a result of endorsed “reforms” by the European Commission. This must be stopped immediately!” the open letter reads.

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