Court Ruling Hiking Magistrates’ Wages Is Abusive – Romanian President

“No judge can establish the country’s state budget or its expenses. This is an attribute for the executive and the legislative powers,” Basescu said Thursday.

He declined to give details, and said “the decision hiking wages (of the magistrates –e.n.) is, in my opinion, a severe interference of the judiciary with the executive power, which is the only one that can say how much money it has”.

The head of state mentioned that an ordinance in 2000 removed the bonuses for stress and overwork, as these were included in the salaries.

“So you, the courthouses, almost doubled the salaries of the magistrates by an ordinance which is no longer valid,” Basescu said.

Basescu said he supports correct payment of the magistrates, who are no more than few thousands and whose wages can be sustained by the state budget, but mentioned he is “bothered by the way the increase of these wages was made”.

From the viewpoint of the Executive, this is “an abuse by violation of the law”, Basescu said.

“This thing must not create an antecedent, and I believe the Legislative and the Executive should have reacted, as tomorrow you will make a court decision establishing who the prime minister is, and afterwards another one establishing the State Budget of Romania,” Basescu said.