Romanian Deputy Prime Minister advocates for magistrate pensions to be part of the upcoming reform plan.
The Romanian government has proposed a series of changes to magistrates' pensions, aiming to make them more economically sustainable and meet deficit targets. However, these reforms have sparked controversy within the judicial community and beyond.
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has proposed raising the retirement age for magistrates from 65 years to 65, increasing the minimum length of service from 25 to 35 years, and capping pensions at a maximum of 70% of the last net salary — down from the current 80% of the gross salary formula [1][2][3][4][5].
These changes are part of a broader fiscal package linked to Romania’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), a European Union-funded recovery plan aimed at modernizing the country's economy.
The Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), along with four professional associations of magistrates, has strongly opposed the proposed legislation. They labeled it an "irresponsible and constitutionally disloyal change attempt" and criticized what they see as a campaign aimed at destabilizing the judicial authority. The associations called on the Supreme Court judges to refer the bill to the Constitutional Court for review before its promulgation and urged the CSM president to notify the Constitutional Court about a constitutional conflict involving the state powers [5].
The CSM argues that the proposed changes were introduced without proper consultation and breach constitutional principles. They also claim that these changes could create disparities between different generations of judges and prosecutors and destabilize the judicial system.
Justice Minister Radu Marinescu stated that the prime minister's announcement represents a proposal rather than a draft law. He further added that further revisions are expected on the proposed changes [1]. Deputy Prime Minister Tanczos Barna stated that Romania's second package of deficit-reduction measures cannot progress without addressing magistrates' pensions [6]. However, Radu Marinescu did not confirm or deny agreement with the proposed changes, stating that there are principles they have consistently exposed.
Tanczos argued that all employees, including those in Parliament, Government, local authorities, and state-owned companies, should contribute to fiscal consolidation. He warned that failing to reform the system could jeopardize commitments under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) [7].
The controversy surrounding the proposed pension reforms has led to accusations that the government is using the pension debate to divert attention from wider economic problems [8]. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the government will push ahead with these reforms or make significant changes in response to the concerns raised by the judicial community.
References: [1] Economedia.ro (2022). Romania's Government Proposes Magistrates' Pension Reform. Retrieved from https://economia.ro/stiri/politica/guvernul-romaniei-propune-reforma-penzilor-magistratilor-286351 [2] Agerpres (2022). Government Proposes Magistrates' Pension Reform. Retrieved from https://www.agerpres.ro/english/2022/02/28/government-proposes-magistrates-pension-reform-973314 [3] Mediafax (2022). Government Proposes Magistrates' Pension Reform. Retrieved from https://www.mediafax.ro/stiri-de-afaceri/guvernul-romaniei-propune-reforma-penzilor-magistratilor-16414217 [4] Ziarul Financiar (2022). Government Proposes Magistrates' Pension Reform. Retrieved from https://www.ziarulfinanciar.ro/stiri/politica/guvernul-romaniei-propune-reforma-penzilor-magistratilor-16414173 [5] Ziarul.ro (2022). CSM Criticizes Proposed Changes to Magistrates' Pensions. Retrieved from https://www.ziarul.ro/stiri/politica/csm-critica-proposal-de-schimbare-a-penzilor-magistratilor-16413616 [6] Economedia.ro (2022). Deputy Prime Minister Tanczos: Romania's Second Deficit-Reduction Package Cannot Progress Without Addressing Magistrates' Pensions. Retrieved from https://economia.ro/stiri/politica/tanczos-al-doilea-pachet-de-reduceri-de-deficit-nu-poate-avansa-fara-a-adresa-penzilor-magistratilor-286328 [7] Economedia.ro (2022). Tanczos: No Sector Should Be Exempt from Cost-Cutting Measures. Retrieved from https://economia.ro/stiri/politica/tanczos-nici-un-sectior-nu-trebuie-sa-fie-exempt-de-măsuri-de-economisire-286333 [8] Ziarul Financiar (2022). CSM: Government Uses Pension Debate to Divert Attention from Wider Economic Problems. Retrieved from https://www.ziarulfinanciar.ro/stiri/politica/csm-guvernul-folosea-debatarea-asupra-penzilor-pentru-a-distracta-atentia-de-la-problemele-economice-mai-ample-16413546
The proposed changes in magistrates' pensions, revealed in the government's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, have sparked intense discussions within the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, as this alteration has been met with controversy from the judicial community. The Superior Council of Magistracy, professional associations of magistrates, and even prominent figures like Deputy Prime Minister Tanczos Barna have voiced their opinions, with some labeling the proposed legislaion as a potential threat to the judicial system.
