Romanian judges demand clarity over Constitutional Court President's meeting with dismissed PM

Presidents of Romania's courts of appeal and tribunals have issued a joint statement requesting clarification regarding a reported meeting between the President of the Constitutional Court of Romania, Elena-Simina Tănăsescu, and the dismissed Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan.

The meeting reportedly took place in the office of the Senate President, an individual who allegedly has interests in cases currently before the Constitutional Court. The judicial leaders emphasized that the independence and impartiality of the justice system require the absence of any external influence and the removal of any appearance of such influence.

Citing European Court of Human Rights precedents, the statement noted that transparency regarding the meeting agendas of Constitutional Court judges is a matter of public interest. The judicial officials expressed concern that the lack of transparency surrounding meetings between the head of the Constitutional Court and high-level political representatives is inadequate for constitutional standards and could undermine public trust in the neutrality of the Court's decisions.