Press Review - July 16, 2018

07.16.2018 By Oana Gavrila

Venice Commission Recommends Romanian Lawmakers To Revise Judicial Bills, Constitution

The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission issued, on Friday, its draft review regarding Romania’s proposed judicial reform, recommending lawmakers to revise their proposed bills in multiple areas, also including a recommendation to revise the country’s Constitution.”

The commission recommended Romanian lawmakers to not exclude the country’s president and the Superior Council of Magistrates from the process of naming chief prosecutors, as is stipulated in bills that were passed by the country’s parliamentary majority.

The European judicial watchdog went as far recommending a revision of Romania’s Constitution to “ensure a neutral and objective process of appointing and dismissing top prosecutors”.

“The Venice Commission therefore recommends to Romanian authorities to reconsider the system for the appointment / dismissal of high-ranking prosecutors, including by revising related provisions of the Constitution, with a view to providing conditions for a neutral and objective appointment/dismissal process by maintaining the role of the institutions, such as the President and the Superior Council of Magistrates, able to balance the influence of the Minister of Justice,” reads the Commission’s draft review.

Senate chairman Calin Popescu Tariceanu said the review was “superficial”, a political opinion lacking judicial substantiation.

Blaga Starts Talks on Backing Orban for Liberal Party Leader

Former Liberal Party co-president Vasile Blaga summoned leaders of local organizations from the former democratic liberal wing to talks on Wednesday to decide whether to back Ludovic Orban for party leader.

Political sources said local organization leaders will meet to close ranks around backing Orban for a new term as party leader.

Former democrat liberals will also discuss candidate lists for European Parliament elections due in May 2019.

Parliament Breaks Constitutional Court Decisions

Romania's Chamber of Deputies has voted to grant special pensions to local elected officials despite the fact that the Constitutional Court ruled such privileges unconstitutional on two occasions.

The new administrative code was approved last week by the lower chamber with 175 votes in favor, 33 against and 15 abstentions. The bulk of votes in favor were from ruling coalition members and the Hungarian minority party.

Among provisions of the bill, there is one that instates special pensions for local elected officials such as mayors, deputy mayors, heads and deputy heads of county councils.