Senate Chairman: Justice Minister Will Probably Pass Decree Amending Criminal Codes

“It is no secret, there is a series of Constitutional Court decisions, I believe they are from two years ago or even more, which regards a series of provisions from the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code which are unconstitutional, and for which it is mandatory to be put into accord with the court’s decision. The justice minister is the key factor in this procedure,” Tariceanu said.

Romania’s Justice Ministry sent a draft emergency decree for review in March which amends the country’s criminal codes, as well as offering extraordinary means of appeal for individuals convicted by Supreme Court appeal panels which were formed through erroneous procedure.

However, President Klaus Iohannis warned the government to not pass any measures amending criminal or judicial laws until a May 26 referendum on judicial issues. The president announced on Thursday that one of the subjects of the referendum will be the government’s ability to pass emergency decrees in the field of the judiciary.