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Law 303/2004 on the judges' and prosecutors' statutes: 179 deputies voted in favour of the draft and 90 deputies against it
Deputies cast the final vote on Monday regarding the amendment of Law 303/2004 on the judges' and prosecutors' statutes, after having voted on December 6th the piece of legislation by paragraphs, following 13-hour debates. As many as 179 deputies voted in favour of the draft and 90 deputies against it.
Former Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos stated on Sunday evening, while attending the protest in the Victoria Square, that Parliament continues to "massacre the justice laws," and former Labour Minister Dragos Pislaru, him, too, alongside the protesters, pointed out that the amendments brought to the respective legislation will "weaken justice and unbalance the rule of law."
"I am participating in this protest because Parliament continues to massacre the justice laws. We request them to stop the manner in which amendments are made to the justice laws, withdraw them from Parliament and debates be carried out first, with the sector, and only afterwards amendments be made," Dacian Ciolos told Agerpres.
Former Labour Minister Dragos Pislaru stated that "he cannot accept the manner in which the Power currently understands to talk to all those disagreeing with them."
"I don't agree with the amendments proposed on the content [of justice package] because they will weaken justice and unbalance Romania's rule of law and the balance of powers in the state. (...) I cannot accept the manner in which the Power currently understands to talk to those who disagree them," Dragos Pislaru told Agerpres.
Chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Ludovic Orban also attending the protest in the Victoria Square, stated that, alongside the Liberals, he conveyed a message to all supporters and citizens who want the welfare of the country, asking them to publicly protest against the amendments to the justice legislation.
"We are together in a minority, the opposition, but we call upon all leverages at our disposal - constitutional, legal, regulations - in order to impede the adoption of these amendments. (...) I have already requested our judicial committee to identify the grounds for unconstitutionality that are present in current amendments of the law. And, moreover, not only today, but in general, I send a message to all our supporters, all citizens who want the welfare of Romania and understand the danger which the country lies in - massive corruption - to publicly protest against these amendments," Ludovic Orban stated.
Former Justice Minister Raluca Pruna also attended the protests, stating that she chose to be next to the protesters because she is "a Romanian citizen, voted, has expectations and wants to be correctly represented in Parliament, but, unfortunately, those representing her in Parliament are not allowed to speak up."
When asked about the amendments brought to the justice legislation, she stated: "I, mostly, criticised the manner in which we understand, in a EU member state, to amend these laws (...) as a matter of urgency. I don't understand the urgency."