Romanian Pres Says He Proposed 3 Days For Debates On Legal Codes

Basescu said that Senate president Mircea Geoana gave the representatives of the NGOs seven days for these discussions. Basescu said he agrees with the seven day talks, if necessary, but stressed the fact that May 15 is an important deadline for the adoption of these laws.

Basescu disagreed with the NGOs statements that there was no public debate on the codes. “All of the elements received from the Justice Ministry point out that this public debate has taken place, according to law,” Basescu said, although he admitted that the debate was between law experts.

The “Stop the Codes!” coalition said after talks with Basescu on Wednesday that the head of state proposed the parliament suspended for seven days the debates on the new legal Codes so that the NGOs can file amendments to the acts.

The Coalition, which reunites non-government organizations, is expected to give an official reply shortly.
 
However, Transparency International Romania executive manager Victor Alistar said that he doesn’t see a “legal way” for the head of state to suspend parliamentary debates pending NGOs amendments.

The NGOs denounce the swift proceedings in view of adopting the new Codes.

Social democrat deputy president Victor Ponta said earlier Wednesday that the Civil and Criminal Codes will be completed by May 15 and debated with urgency in Senate, while the related procedure Codes will be ready by fall.