The Week in Review: October 21-27, 2018
Click here for an overview of the main issues in Romania, this past week
Leyla Cheamil, 27.10.2018, 11:00
Justice Minister requests the removal of the Prosecutor General
The Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader has initiated the procedure to dismiss Augustin Lazar as Prosecutor General of Romania, following an assessment of his work. Earlier this year, also at the request of the Justice Minister and bound by a Constitutional Court ruling, President Klaus Iohannis had dismissed the chief of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate, Laura Codruta Kovesi. Tudorel Toader explained that the same kind of behaviour that prompted Kovesi’s removal was now bringing the downfall of the Prosecutor General.
According to the Justice Minister, Augustin Lazar has generated 3 judicial conflicts related to the separation of powers, and has made unprecedented accusations against public authorities, parliament and the government. Lazar is also accused of challenging the rulings of the Constitutional Court, of failing to meet his professional objectives, of criticising the justice laws after the constitutionality check had been completed, and of breaking the law by signing protocols with the intelligence services, thus paving the way for a parallel judicial system.
In response, Augustin Lazar says the Justice Minister’s claims are exaggerations and that freedom of expression must be used against any interference that threatens to affect the independence of prosecutors.
The Prosecutors’ Section of the Superior Council of Magistracy has scheduled the hearing of the Prosecutor General on November 13, and is to make public an official opinion on the dismissal request on November 21.
According to President Klaus Iohannis, the Justice Minister’s request to remove Lazar is completely unjustified, and calls on Tudorel Toader to step down. Once again, the head of state says, attempts are being made to persuade people that prosecutors are the enemies of society. The President also urged magistrates not to lose faith in the Romanian society’s ability to withstand a new attack on the rule of law.
The National Liberal Party, in opposition, believes the request to dismiss the Prosecutor General is groundless and is just an attack against the independence of the judiciary, whereas the leaders of Save Romania Union say Tudorel Toader has removed the chief prosecutors on orders from the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats.
Talks on the rule of law and the justice laws in Brussels and Bucharest
The head of the Romanian state Klaus Iohannis Tuesday addressed the European Parliament for the first time, presenting Romania’s views on the future of the European bloc. He pleaded for unity, cohesion and solidarity in the effort to strengthen the Union, and rejected the idea of a “multi-speed Europe.” Klaus Iohannis also said Romania is a democratic country, respecting the rule of law and fully committed to the fight against corruption. In fact, on Wednesday in Bucharest he held consultations with the parliamentary parties, precisely concerning the changes to the justice laws operated by the ruling coalition.
Previously, the Venice Commission had released a report which found that the new justice laws and Criminal Codes undermine the fight against corruption and organised crime. The head of state has said that the justice laws must be rethought, modernised and improved and that the legislative cycle in the field must be resumed. On the other hand, the Social Democratic leader Liviu Dragnea has said that his party opposes the resuming of the legislative process in the case of the justice laws, because there is already a decree on this matter in Parliament.
In his turn, the leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, has said, after consultations, that a consensus on the justice laws is necessary, but also common premises, such as putting an end to the abuse committed through secret protocols. The National Liberal Party, in opposition, has said that it supports the head of state’s idea of debates being resumed. The leader of the Save Romania Union, Dan Barna, believes that Romania’s presidency could be a very good platform for debate and a real mediation between magistrates, politicians, civil society and Romania’s citizens, who truly want an independent and functional justice system.
The offshore bill, regulating gas exploitation in the Black Sea, passed by Romanian MPs
Romanian MPs have adopted the offshore law, regulating gas exploitation in the Black Sea. The Opposition has criticised the lack of some precise calculations to justify modifications to this law, while the Power believes the Romanian state’s interests are protected by this law. Last week, the ruling coalition made up of the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats reached consensus over modifications to this law. Thus, it was agreed that 50% of the natural gas production in the Black Sea should be traded on the domestic stock exchange market while the operators’ investment should be deducted from the additional tax within the limit of 30%.
Italian Interior Minister pays visit to Bucharest
The Romanian Interior Minister, Carmen Dan, met on Tuesday in Bucharest with the Italian deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. Bilateral cooperation in the field of security, especially in the context of Romania’s taking over the EU Council presidency in the first six months of 2019 were among the topics tackled by the two officials. The Romanian community in Italy and the Italian community in Romania make the relationship between the two countries even stronger, and contribute to their economic and social development, Minister Carmen Dan has said. In turn, Matteo Salvini has said that the Romanian community in Italy numbers more that 1 million and that the mistakes some of them make should not impact the other members of the community. Also, Salvini has thanked the Romanian authorities for their support in identifying Romanian fugitives in Italy.
