Save Romanian Union (USR) announced that it considers filing a motion against Justice Minister Tudorel Toader after he had announced the head of state would have no say in appointing the Prosecutor General and the DNA and DIICOT heads and that the Judicial Inspection would go to the Justice Ministry.
“DNA and DIICOT will be practically left at Dragnea’s mercy at the moment, for the appointments are made by the Justice Minister, who is representing PSD right now and, more seriously, we consider that the Judicial Inspection will become a weapon of political repression against magistrates by getting out the CSM’s coordination and by going to the Justice Ministry. We strongly oppose the amendments, for they politicize independent activities that should watch over the justice,” said USR senator George Dirca.
He confirmed that USR is considering filing a motion, simple or censure motion against Justice minister and that they will start discussions with other opposition parties in this respect.
Liberal chair Orban: We’will fight with all weapons against amendments
Chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Ludovic Orban also stated that Liviu Dragnea and Calin Popescu Tariceanu want to politically subordinate the prosecutor’s offices in order to suppress the investigations against them, saying that PNL will fight with all weapons to counter the adoption of the heralded amendments, arguing they “risk destroying the justice independence”.
“The Government is showsing its teeth. Dragnea and Tariceanu (editor note- leaders of the ruling coalition) want to politically subordinate the prosecutor’s offices to suppress the investigations, especially for corruption deeds, which target the leaders of the ruling parties. Removing the President from the equation of appointing the prosecutor’s offices’ heads allows the politically named justice minister to act arbitrarily in naming them. The political minister will seek to name obedient prosecutors who should respond to orders and who should not dare start investigations against the political and economic clientage. Moreover, the prosecutor’s offices might turn into a political weapon to fight against foes,” Orban posted on Facebook.
He added that by transferring the Judicial Inspection under the Justice minister’s authority, it risks turning into a repressive phalange of the ruling party.
PMP’s Tomac: Society must react accordingly
Executive chairman of the People’s Movement Party (PMP), Eugen Tomac, said in his turn that the proposals to amend the justice laws are “inadmissible” and that “society must react accordingly”, arguing that we see a new era returning, when files investigating politicians used to be decided at the PSD’s headquarter.
Romania 100 Platform: Justice’ independence endangered by PSD-ALDE
Romania 100 Platform of former PM Dacian Ciolos warns that the package to modify the Justice laws, announced by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader will seriously affect the justice independence and the balance of powers.
In a post on Facebook, the Platform says that Justice’ independence will be seriously affected by shifting the Judicial Inspection from CSM to the Justice Ministry and will open the way for political interference.