European Parliament Passes Resolution Criticizing Romania’s Judicial Reform
The European Parliament passed on Tuesday a draft resolution in which it expresses concerns regarding Romania’s ongoing judicial reform process, and the state of the rule of law in the country.
The report on the situation in Romania, drafted by the body’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Commission (LIBE), was passed with 489 votes for, 112 against and 73 abstentions.
The resolution’s text expresses the Parliament’s concern regarding the amendments brought to criminal and judicial legislation by the country’s ruling coalition, stating that they risk undermining judicial independence and the fight against corruption.
The document, published on the European Parliament’s website, also contains 13 recommendations for Romania and European Union institutions regarding the country’s judicial system and fight against corruption.
The resolution follows two debates hosted by the EU Parliament on the subjects, attended by Prime Minister Viorica Dancila and President Klaus Iohannis, respectively.
Judicial Overhaul Committee Chairman Blasts EC’s CVM Report On Romania
Florin Iordache, chairman of judicial overhaul committee, said Tuesday, after the European Commission’s Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) report on Romania, that the implementation of requests included in the report would block Romania’s justice system.
The European Commission urged Romania to immediately suspend its current judicial reform and all ongoing procedures for appointing or dismissing top prosecutors, in an extremely critical 2018 version of its Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) report for the country.
According to the report, the recently enacted judicial bills and pressures made against the independence of the judiciary have generated doubts on the irreversibility of judicial progresses made by Romania. It adds that the measures have contributed to regresses in the rule of law and especially criticized pressures exerted on the country’s National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA).
Besides suspending the judicial overhaul process, the Commission also advises Romanian authorities to fully take into account recommendations issued in CVM reports, as well as those of the Venice Commission and GRECO. The recommendations including halting all ongoing procedures regarding top prosecutors and immediately restarting the procedure for appointing a DNA chief-prosecutor, who should have “proven experience in the field of criminal prosecution of corruption offenses”.
The Commission also wants changes regarding the country’s Judicial Inspection, instructing authorities to have top judicial watchdog appoint an interim management team and organize within three months procedures to appoint a new management for the institution.
Cold, Rainfall Expected In Romania After November 18
The weather will see radical changes in the next two weeks when freezing temperatures are expected across Romania, especially during the night.
Meteorologists also expect precipitations across Romania after November 18, mainly under the form of rainfall.
Daytime temperatures will range from 2 to 5 degrees Celsius in all regions, except Dobrogea, where they will reach up to 8 degrees. Nighttime temperatures will range from -2 to -5 degrees Celsius. (evz.ro)
Romanian Central Bank Keeps Year-End Inflation Forecast at 3.5%, Raises 2019 Projection
Romania’s central bank has kept its inflation forecast at 3.5% for end-2018, the same as in August at the previous inflation report, raised its 2019 projection to 2.9% from a previous forecast of 2.7%, and also forecasts a 3.1% inflation rate at the end of the third quarter of 2020.
Central bank governor Mugur Isarescu said inflation in Romania is not seen dropping below 2% in the long run.
Isarescu said the 2018 year-end forecast could be most influenced by oil prices in the upcoming period, as international oil price hikes are translated almost immediately in local fuel prices. (evz.ro)