Romanian judges threaten strike over government wage reform

Judges in the Szatmár and Bihar counties of Romania, representing 151 magistrates, convened an extraordinary general meeting to protest a government‑proposed unified salary law. They allege that the ruling party is attempting to erode judicial independence by cutting 87 of the 151 existing wage supplements and sharply reducing base salaries for judges and prosecutors. The magistrates condemned the plan as a threat to the rule of law and asked the Supreme Judicial Council (CSM) to intervene both domestically and internationally, demanding an immediate halt to political pressure on the courts. They warned that, if the legislation proceeds, they may consider suspending their duties in a future general assembly. The protest coincides with a broader government effort to restructure public sector pay for over one million civil servants, which the judges claim will lead to significant income loss across multiple sectors.