PM Dancila in EP debate: Romania's new Justice Laws restore judges their independence

Prime Minister Viorica Dancila said on Wednesday in the European Parliament debate that Romania's new Justice Laws "restore judges their independence." 

"The new Justice Laws restore judges their independence. No political decision-maker intervenes in appointing and dismissing judges. The independence is total, in no way restricted and I assure you that we have good faith and will take into account all the recommendations of the Venice Commission," Dancila told the plenary sitting of the European Parliament debating the situation of our country. 

According to the PM, over the past four years, over 300 magistrates have been investigated by the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA). 

"The Venice Commission said that, during the Soviet system, the Prosecutor's Office represented a powerful means to control the judicial power. Over the last four years, over 300 magistrates have been investigated by the DNA. Basically, half of Romania's magistrates had criminal cases, through which, they were probably influenced to rule solutions established outside the court room. It's not me who says it, Romania's magistracy associations say it with a lot of concern. Through such counterfeit cases there have been removed from office one judge of the Constitutional Court, one Vice-President of the Superior Council of Magistracy, four judges of the High Court, several judges of higher courts, one Prosecutor General, one chief of the High Prosecutor's Office. Finally, they all have been acquitted or their cases have been closed, but they have been removed [from office]," Dancila explained. 

In her view, there is "a good side" of the debate in the European Parliament. 

"There is still a good side of this meeting. Today I informed all the officials about the abuses in Romania. From now on, these things cannot be ignored, there will be no talk about Romania's Justice without also talking about these abuses, only if a political game is carried out, without any connection to the Justice. Ask yourselves why these things have been hidden from you. Why you weren't told anything? Ask yourselves these questions prior to throwing the rock against Romania," Viorica Dancila stated.