Iohannis: More and more attacks on justice by politicians lacking integrity

President Klaus Iohannis says that "attacks on justice coming from politicians lacking integrity are more and more frequent," specifying that we are going through times when the independence of the Romanian justice is being "sorely tested." 

According to a press release sent by the Presidential Administration, the head of state sent a message on Monday, on the occasion of the conference "Ethical conduct of magistrates for consolidating public trust. Open dialogue on judicial integrity" within the Rule of Law Programme South East Europe of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The message was presented by Laurentiu Stefan, presidential advisor - Department of Domestic Policy. 

"The Rule of Law Programme South East Europe of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation has won, through the substantial activities carried out in the last decade, the status of landmark for the professionals of the justice system in Romania and in the entire region as well. The fruits of our foreign partners' labor in consolidating the justice system and in the anticorruption fight, including organizations like yours, can be clearly seen in the last years. Unfortunately, we are going through times when the independence of the Romanian justice is sorely tested," Iohannis declared in his message. 

According to the head of state, integrity is, these days more than ever, one of the more significant topics that are on the public agenda. 

"Trust begins with the magistrates' integrity. The anticorruption fight is inseparably tied to the integrity of those that are part of the institutions of the judiciary. I am glad that I have the opportunity to send a message of congratulation and encouragement to all professionals in the justice system, from the first to the last hierarchical step, for the ever-growing results regarding the accomplishment of the justice act in Romania, obtained in the last years, but also for the way in which they have performed their duty and defended the independence of the judiciary," Iohannis also said. 

He specified that despite all the difficulties encountered, the manifested integrity and professionalism have clearly showed both to Romanians, as well as to our foreign partners, that Justice has matured, it is ready, capable and decided to defend its independence. 

"Your voice is heard, it matters and will matter. Keep doing your jobs with integrity and courage, loyal to the principles of democracy and rule of law! Remain vigilant and do not lose hope! I am by your side you and I am certain that you have the support of the citizens from all over the country, who have sent very clear and firm message to the ruling class. I am certain that Romanians will continue to defend the independence of justice with the same belief. We have a Constitution, we have a creed - in the rule of law and democracy - and we have the guarantee given by the membership to the European Union for respecting this creed. We have a judiciary made up of magistrates with integrity and I trust they will continue to stay that way. I wish you great success in the projects and programs on justice in Romania and in the entire region!" Iohannis conveyed in his message.