Any professional category has the right to express dissatisfaction, but strictly observing the law, which, in Justice, means ensuring the functionality of the public service, Justice Minister Radu Marinescu stated on Wednesday.
He underscored that his message to the protesting magistrates is one of dialogue and institutional cooperation.
„The Justice Ministry’s message has always been one of dialogue, institutional cooperation and utmost seriousness in addressing issues regarding a public service of major importance to society. My message is that any professional category can express dissatisfaction regarding certain policies or certain drafts which target their status, but this thing must be done with the strict observance of the law, and in Justice, by ensuring the functionality of the public service, because the priority is the citizen and their rights and freedoms,” the minister stated at Digi 24 private television station.
According to him, through the governing programme, the current coalition established an objective – the standardization of the retirement age in the public system, a standard retirement age – that relates to social justice and, equally, to meeting certain requirements for accessing European funds under a benchmark in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
According to the minister, „the details within each benchmark” are „somewhat divergent.”
„These are probably the issues behind the magistrates’ dissatisfaction as well, but I repeat, the coalition is committed to fulfilling the objectives set out in the governing programme. Our intention is to do so in a civilized manner, through dialogue, and, insofar as there are protests, they must remain within the limits of the law and observe the fundamental interest of the citizen, so that justice continues to function,” Marinescu pointed out.
When asked whether he intends to invite representatives of the protesters to the ministry, he stated that discussions have already taken place.
„I want to mention that the draft law which is currently under public consultation is a draft initiated by the Labour Ministry within the framework of the PNRR. The Justice Ministry participated in the discussions carried out so far, underscored all aspects of legality and constitutionality, it is always open to dialogue. Should they wish to engage in a dialogue with the Ministry of Justice, without a doubt, in fulfilling our institutional role as a partner in the justice system, we will carry out this channel of communication as well,” Radu Marinescu also conveyed.
AGERPRES
