Court presidents urge dialog on pension reform

The presidents of tribunals across the country are calling for dialogue between the three state powers – legislative, executive and judiciary – in a joint effort ‘to correct the excesses of the fiscal policies adopted in recent times, which place an excessive financial burden on the shoulders of citizens’.In the context of heated debates of the last period of time on the issue of special pensions reform, the courts presidents sent on Wednesday a message to the society, called’ Justice among people, not above them’.'The presidents of courts across the country wish to express their common position in the context of the debates that have appeared in the media and on social networks in recent days, regarding the accusations made against the judicial profession by certain parts of public opinion. These grievances, some stemming from mistrust, others from a misunderstanding of the difficulties faced by the judiciary (mainly generated by the quality of the regulatory framework) have painted an unfair picture of a profession that lives not behind cold walls, but in the midst of citizens. The intense campaign against magistrates under the pretext of a new 'reform', which may even affect the rule of law, cannot be justified by the alleged alignment with EU requirements, given that Law 282/2023 on service pensions was recently adopted, which corrects certain legislative anomalies and currently regulates the phased increase of the retirement age of magistrates to 60 years and the establishment of a service pension at 80% of the calculation basis,' say the heads of the courts. Further, they call for an honest dialogue between the three government branches – legislative, executive and judiciary for ‘ a joint effort to correct excesses in the fiscal policies adopted over the last period, which bring an excessive financial burden on the shoulders’ of the citizens’.'In this context, we are aware that tension is growing and disappointment sometimes turns into reproach towards those who apply the law. But let us not forget: magistrates do not make the laws, they enforce them. Our independence ensures the protection of citizens and is not a privilege granted to magistrates. We are not ideals but people among people. We have the same fears, the same worries, the same hopes as everyone else. We wanted to enter this profession to seek the truth and to apply the law impartially, thus helping to guarantee the rule of law. We want to be understood, not blamed; to be listened to, not attacked; to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. We strongly support the position of the CSM, the presidents of the appeal courts, the prosecutors, the magistrates' associations and all the legal professions who understand the depth of these moments. We also join with the citizens we serve every day, convinced that only together, through unity and cohesion, can we convey a clear and strong message: justice is not above society, but a living part of it, and it needs to breathe the same air of permanent dialogue with every citizen. Justice is everyone's right', concludes the message from the presiding judges.