President Nicu\u0219or Dan intervened in the conflict sparked between recently-appointed deputy prime minister Oana Gheorghiu and the Superior Council of Magistracy, or CSM. The latter filed a criminal complaint against the former, after Gheorghiu stated that the magistrates\u2019 pensions have to be cut.<\/p>\n
Specifically, Oana Gheorghiu stated during an interview on Digi24 that she understands the difficulty magistrates have in giving up the large incomes they benefit from, but that rational people must understand this reality. The official emphasized that the money used to pay the magistrates\u2019 pensions is taken from other places, such as social services for children and the healthcare system.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In reply, CSM said<\/a> that calling for a reduction in magistrates\u2019 special pensions amounted to incitement to hatred and violence against members of the judiciary. Saying that the magistrates\u2019 pensions result in fewer funds for minors was also not permitted, according to the CSM.<\/p>\n In this context, the president weighed in and argued that the deputy PM\u2019s statements were \u201cunfortunate\u201d but added that CSM\u2019s reaction was also exaggerated. Dan said that Gheorghiu should remain in the government, arguing that \u201ceveryone makes mistakes and this is not such a big one.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf a request for criminal prosecution comes, I will not sign it, I don\u2019t believe it is a criminal offense,\u201d the head of state argued. On the other hand, the president said that, due to the \u201cpolitical campaign\u201d regarding special pensions in the judiciary, \u201cmagistrates have become the scapegoats,\u201d and that this \u201cis not normal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The president is not the only one to have given statements regarding the conflict. Over 40 organizations and civil society figures jointly signed an open letter addressed both to magistrates and the political class, emphasizing that magistrates are not a vulnerable or disadvantaged category, but a privileged one, and calling for a responsible and constructive approach toward the justice system.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Superior Council of Magistracy considers that deputy PM Oana Gheorghiu incited to violence, hatred, and discrimination when she tried to appeal to the humanitarian feelings of magistrates in order to convince them to understand and accept the reduction of special pensions. […] It is ridiculous that magistrates, one of the most privileged professional categories in Romania, claim to be a disadvantaged and vulnerable category. And it is dangerous that a humanitarian argument, no matter how poorly formulated, has come to be seen by Romanian magistrates as incitement to violence, hatred, and discrimination,\u201d the letter argued, cited by G4Media<\/a>.<\/p>\n The signatories highlight that the principle of the independence of the judiciary does not imply a ban on discussing the justice system. They also told magistrates to ask themselves why justice has come to have such a negative image in Romania.<\/p>\n \u201cWe, the citizens, want to feel the magistrates by our side in this fight for the independence of justice. Unfortunately, lately we have too often felt that some high-ranking magistrates are not on our side, but rather on the side of their own interests, especially regarding special pensions and major corruption cases. Hence our indignation,\u201d the letter adds.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Romanian Government has been locked in a conflict with the magistrates over the need to reform the special pensions system by November 28, a key deadline for unlocking EUR 870 million in suspended EU funds under the Resilience Facility. Magistrates in Romania can retire at around 48-50 years, and receive an average monthly pension of around EUR 5,000, while the average pension nationally is just over EUR 320. So far, bodies representing magistrates have contested any governmental attempt to reduce their pensions in the courts.<\/p>\n