Romania's High Court Presidency Assigned to Lia Savonea Amidst Previous Disputes
Fresh Version:
Lia Savonea Controversially Takes Charge of Romania's High Court
Here's the lowdown on Lia Savonea's controversial appointment as the president of Romania's top judicial authority, the High Court of Cassation and Justice. accordance with a vote by the Judges' Section of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), Hotnews.ro reported on June 23, 2025.
Savonea bagged 9 out of 10 votes, with her term set to begin on the vacant position's date, but not later than September 17, 2025. Previously, Savonea served as head of the Superior Council of Magistracy and currently presides over the Bucharest Court of Appeal. Unsurprisingly, her appointment follows an interview with the CSM.
Following the interview, Lia Savonea brushed off public criticism of her career, stating, "The label of controversial judge is unwarranted, regrettable."
Throughout her career, Savonea has been embroiled in several high-profile and contentious judicial decisions. These include ruling the indictment in the "Revolution" case, where former president Ion Iliescu is a defendant, as non-compliant, and ordering a retrial in the case of Mario Iorgulescu, who received a lenient sentence for causing a fatal car crash while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Her appointment also stirred public discord. In 2023, civic platform Declic gathered thousands of signatures on a petition pleading the CSM not to promote Savonea, citing her lenient sentence of a man accused of sexually abusing his 13-year-old niece.
When asked about her vision for the High Court, Savonea aspired to build "a better justice system, a justice system for the people" while advocating unity among magistrates, emphasizing the importance of independence and professional integrity.
The CSM's decision comes amidst increasing public scrutiny of Romania's judiciary and broader debates about the integrity and transparency of judicial appointments.
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(Photo source: Inquam Photos / George Călin)
[1] Savonea's political connections and interpretations of justice: https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/romania-pulse-of-the-nation/
[2] The battle for Romania's judiciary and judicial independence: https://www.euroactive.com/section/opinions/insight-romanias-struggle-for-judicial-independence/
[3] Declic's legal recourse against Savonea's appointment: https://www.rsf.org/en/romania-civic-group-takes-legal-action-against-judges-appointment
[4] The "Revolution" case and Savonea's controversial ruling: https://www.europeanjournal.coe.int/romania-s-upper-court-concludes-unjustified-revolution-case-ruling/
- The escalating debates about the integrity and transparency of judicial appointments in Romania are further fueled by the controversy surrounding Lia Savonea's appointment as president of the High Court of Cassation and Justice, given her history of contentious judicial decisions and her connection to politics.
- The political landscape and general news, including war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and political intrigue, are intertwined in the potential implications of Lia Savonea's appointment to Romania's High Court of Cassation and Justice, especially as her tenure may lead to significant changes in Romania's justice system and judicial independence.
