Venice Commission to issue opinion on Romania's justice laws by end-July

The Venice Commission’s opinion on Romania’s justice law changes will be remitted to the local authorities at the end of July, said Gianni Buquicchio, Venice Commission President in an interview for local Europa Libera. However, he commented that the attacks against the judiciary are grounded on political interests and that “those in power want to change the laws because they are not satisfied with justice decisions”. The Commission will issue an opinion on bills changing the magistrates’ status, judicial organization and the organization of the Superior Magistracy Council (CSM). Criminal code changes are not subject of the assessment, because no one asked, Buquicchio, said. When asked whether the president should file such request, the external official replied that it would be unusual because the procedure was a responsibility of the local government, the European Council’s general secretary and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). A Venice Commission delegation was in Bucharest about three weeks ago to assess justice law changes approved at the end of last year. The Commission was notified by the PACE at the request of the opposition National Liberal Party (PNL). The Romanian president also asked for the Venice's Commission's opinion. editor@romania-insider.com (opening photo: Coe.int)