Constitutional judges decided to postpone debates on the challenge for March 13.
Opposition parties filed the challenge on December 27, accusing that the bill creates a “privileged judicial framework” for individuals who commit tax evasion and encourages further offences.
Romania’s Lower Chamber passed the bill on December 19. Under its provisions, individuals indicted in tax evasion cases would see their prosecution end if they pay the damages, a 20% penalty and other interest and penalties until the first hearing in the respective court case.
This would also apply for cases with multiple tax evasion suspects, where all of them would evade prosecution if the damages and fine is paid under these conditions.
Suspects who choose to pay the damages and penalty between the first hearing and the end of the case will have to pay a penal fine or serve the sentence under supervision, depending on the circumstances of the offences.