RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Romania’s justice system, under debate in the European Parliament

The recent modifications brought to the justice laws in Romania were at the centre of a heated debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg

Romania’s justice system, under debate in the European Parliament
Romania’s justice system, under debate in the European Parliament

, 08.02.2018, 14:14

The domestic turmoil stirred by the modifications brought to the justice laws in Romania has reached the floor of the European Parliament, which on Wednesday hosted a debate on this issue. Convinced that the European Union was misinformed over the justice laws, on Tuesday Justice Minister Tudorel Toader had presented European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans the status of their implementation.



Justice Minister Tudorel Toader: “I talked to Mr. Timmermans for 70 minutes, not 30 minutes. It was a very straightforward talk, referring to the justice laws. I repeat what I’ve said on numerous occasions: everyone should voice opinions within the limits of their competencies”.



After the debate in Parliament, which took place in the presence of EU Commissioner for Justice, Vera Jourova, Minister Toader said the debate had a political stake, and promised he would draw up a list of false information.



One of the opponents of the justice laws, MEP Traian Ungureanu from the European People’s Party, pointed out the following: “The Social-Democrats won the elections after promising more money, prosperity and whatnot. But the Government’s first decision was to modify laws limiting or removing sanctions for crimes committed by its leadership. The abuse of office was written off, while the cap for including embezzlement as a crime was extended. The Social-Democrats’ modifications to the justice laws will turn prosecutors into their bosses’ investigators, while investigations themselves will undergo a new control mechanism”.



In turn, MEP Cristian Preda, also with the EPP group, said: “When Jean-Claude Juncker and Frans Timmermans called on the Government to consult the Venice Commission, the Government said ‘no, there’s no need for that’. It was Mr. Tudorel Toader himself, a member of this Commission, who said that”.



On the other hand, defending the need for a judicial overhaul, Norica Nicolae with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats said the following: “The presumption of innocence, the rights and liberties related to criminal investigations, are they not procedural guarantees that the European Union fosters? What did you do, Madam Commissioner, when hundreds of people were abusively sentenced to prison and acquitted? What did you do when so many citizens were illegally tapped, when intelligence agencies with no attributes pertaining to the criminal investigation got involved?”



Another MEP with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, Mircea Diaconu, expressed concern over the rule of law in Romania, which he believes is being challenged: “Under our Constitution, Parliament is the only one that can solve these problems. It doesn’t need anyone’s approval and can only be silenced by the Constitutional Court, which is a fully-functional institution in Romania. All else is not worth discussing. I would end by saying that I favour the independence of the justice system and of Romania in particular”.



In her concluding remarks, EU Commissioner Vera Jourova reiterated the Commission’s request that Romania’s Parliament should call a debate on the modifications to the justice laws, in line with the EU’s recommendations, so as to reach consensus in this matter.

Signing of the protocol (foto:
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

Transition program towards F-35, launched

The Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft has been launched.   Romania’s decision to acquire advanced fighter...

Transition program towards F-35, launched
Energy (foto: EdWhiteImages / pixabay.com)
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

The National Energy Strategy, adopted

Using local resources, reducing imports and making massive investments in production capacity are important elements of the new National Energy...

The National Energy Strategy, adopted
European Commission (photo: © European Union - Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photographer: Christophe Licoppe)
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

Political agreement on the new European Commission

    The leaders of the three major political groups in the European Parliament have given the green light to the members of the next...

Political agreement on the new European Commission
Photo: aep.ro
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

13 for Romania

    In Romania, presidential elections usually spark the greatest interest and emotions. Even more so this year, when the two rounds of the...

13 for Romania
Today in the News Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading

On Tuesday, the Romanian company Romgaz launched its first issue of bonds on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, worth 500 million EUR. Romgaz is the...

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania ahead of the presidential election

Next month, President Klaus Iohannis will end his second and last five-year term in office according to the Romanian Constitution. The so-called...

Romania ahead of the presidential election
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels

NATO welcomes Romania’s continuous efforts and its significant contribution to strengthening the Alliance and Euro-Atlantic security, NATO...

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels
Today in the News Monday, 18 November 2024

Downward forecast from the European Commission

Romania’s economic growth estimate has been recalculated by the European Commission (EC), at a value well below the initially established...

Downward forecast from the European Commission

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company