President Klaus Iohannis stated on Tuesday that an "impressive" number of politicians have attacked the Justice since the parliamentary elections until now, adding that "full" civic involvement is needed in this case, and yet he is not calling for people to protest but to speak their mind.
"We cannot fail to notice that since the parliamentary elections until now, an impressive number of influential politicians have been busy attacking the Justice, the prosecutors, the procedures of the law, conveying to the population the impression that the Justice is not functioning. Certainly, one could easily notice that many of these influential politicians are either criminally indicted, or underway of being prosecuted, or being under criminal investigation. (...) Before the elections I have repeatedly drawn the voters' attention that it would be very serious for people indicted or criminally prosecuted, that we generically call 'criminals' reach the helm of the state because that would automatically lead to an immense pressure on the Justice. It has happened. That is why full civic involvement is needed, there is the urgency that all who want the rule of the law in Romania and who want an independent Justice make it public and speak up. I by no means wish to create the impression that I want to call people out to protest or for any major divergences to occur, but a healthy society — and I want a healthy society for Romania — is compelled to publicly discuss these issues, because ultimately, they affect us all," Iohannis stated at Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
He argued that in the case of certain Justice procedures the Venice Commission should be consulted but mentioned that this forum's opinion is advisory.
"The Venice Commission was approached on certain issues and will continue to be, and yes, on certain procedures, it is quite indicated to call for the Venice Commission's opinion, however this opinion is advisory and it's up to us to solve the problems we have. A lot of caution is therefore needed, and also public debate," Iohannis said.
Several civic and non-governmental organisations addressed on Monday a letter to President Klaus Iohannis requesting, among other things, the notification of the Venice Commission for an opinion regarding three decisions and resolutions of the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) and the immediate establishment of a committee to draw up an electoral code.
According to a press release of the Romania Initiative association, the signatories of the demarche also request from the head of state "action and the immediate expression of a trenchant position regarding the grave and imminent danger that the initiatives of the current governmental majority represents to the independence of Justice and the anti-corruption fight."
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