Nicușor Dan, before the meeting with the magistrates: In the appointment of the head of the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the president is a spectator

President Nicușor Dan declared on Friday morning, at the end of the European Council meeting, that in appointing the person who leads the High Court of Cassation and Justice “the president has absolutely no role”semphasizing that this process is the responsibility of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM).

The statement made by Nicușor Dan comes before the meeting scheduled for Monday, December 22, in Cotroceni, with the magistrates, convened following the Recorder documentary “Captured Justice”.

In a press conference held in Brussels, after the meeting of the European Council, Nicușor Dan was asked if, in the discussion with the magistrates, he would also open the discussion on how to balance the relationship between the president and the appointment of senior magistrates.

“Unlike the heads of the prosecutor's offices, who are appointed by the president, in the appointment of the head of the High Court of Cassation and Justice, the president has absolutely no role. That is, it is an appointment made by the CSM, following a competition that this year had a candidate and at which the president is a spectator”, declared Nicuşor Dan.

Magistrates, invited to consultations by Nicușor Dan

President Nicușor Dan invited the magistrates who want to report integrity problems in the justice system to a discussion “without time limit” at the Cotroceni Palace, on December 22.

The consultations come after the Recorder published on December 9 a documentary about the state of justice in Romania, the phenomenon of prescriptions, but also the effects of the centralization of power at the level of “some magistrates who coexist with politicians”.

The head of state asked to be presented with documents – assumed or not – that document the problems in the judiciary and promised to study the papers together with his advisors until the time of the meeting. The president said that he had received many materials, adding that the analysis would take around two or three months. The head of state specified that, if the culprits are seen, they will express themselves publicly.

The Superior Council of the Magistracy (CSM) has launched an online questionnaire, which can be completed before the meeting with President Nicuşor Dan, aimed at consulting on current issues in the judicial system.

So far, after the publication of the Recorder documentary, there have been six days of demonstrations in Bucharest and other cities, people demanding a reform of the justice system, but also the dismissal of Lia Savonea from the High Court.