ICCJ President Lia Savonea, on the staggered payment of magistrates’ outstanding salaries: “I noticed a significant and welcome change in approach compared with the previous Government”

The President of the High Court of Cassation and Justice, Lia Savonea, stated that it is premature to comment on any possible proposals regarding the payment of judges’ outstanding salaries before official discussions with representatives of the current Government.

The reaction comes after Prime Minister Luca Niculescu announced that the Executive intends to propose staggering the payments in order to avoid prolonging the state of tension and the emergence of budgetary disruptions. The Prime Minister stressed that the state must comply with final court rulings and fulfill its obligations, but the staggered-payment solution has not yet been finalized.

Lia Savonea welcomed the change in approach of the current Government compared with the previous Executive, led by Ilie Bolojan, describing the current discourse as balanced and constructive. The head of the High Court of Cassation and Justice said that institutional dialogue must lead to concrete solutions that respect both judges’ rights and the principles of the rule of law.

“I believe it is premature to comment on any possible proposals before they are presented and discussed במסגרת of institutional dialogue. I believe it is only natural that we first have official discussions with representatives of the current Government, all the more so since I have noticed a significant and welcome change in approach compared with the previous Government, reflected, so far, in balanced, constructive discourse and a genuine openness to dialogue,” Lia Savonea told Cotidianul.