Romanian EPP President Klaus Iohannis announced on Thursday 25 April that a referendum will be held on 26 May, the day of the European elections, to gauge citizens' opinions on the recent controversial reforms launched by the Social Democratic government, in alliance with the Liberals, including the reduction of limitation periods for corruption cases or the amnesty of certain officials convicted of such acts.
Recent reforms of the Criminal Code adopted by the Romanian Parliament, as recently as 24 April, raise “very serious concerns”, commented the European Commissioner for Justice, Věra Jourová, on Friday 26 April in Brussels, when presenting the justice scoreboard (see related article).
The Commissioner identified “an accumulation of factors” that could result in a violation of the independence of the judiciary. The Commission “analyses” the latest developments, said the European official, who noted that citizens also scrutinise this very closely and aspire to a “blind justice” that does not treat anyone differently, including politicians.
The EPP party has also reacted to these recent amendments to the Criminal Code, which have not yet entered into force. In a statement issued on 26 April, EPP President Joseph Daul said he was “discouraged to see that the governing coalition of an EU Member State is amending its criminal codes to ensure that its leader and other politicians are not held accountable for their actions”. “Such behaviour by the PSD-ALDE coalition is neither pro-European nor worthy of a ruling alliance”. The Frenchman also praised the referendum initiative taken by the President.
Mr Iohannis explained that the referendum would be a test for or against the government of the PSD (Social Democratic Party) and that citizens would be asked in particular whether they would approve the removal of amnesty possibilities for persons convicted in corruption cases and the end of emergency judicial decrees. If there is an answer to this question, “action will have to be taken”, the president explained. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)