Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan on Monday had a working meeting with representatives of magistrates’ associations on the reform of magistates’ state pensions, part of a second package of government measures to cut public spending.

„The judiciary has a very important role to play in the health of a democratic state such as Romania. The bill reforming magistrates’ pensions is in line with European rules, and it also takes into account both aspects of social equity, normality and efficiency, as well as budgetary realities and the need to reduce the state’s operating expenses,” Bolojan is quoted as saying in a government press statement.

According to the prime minister, an increase in the retirement age for magistrates is a measure that will generate both an increase in the quality of the public service and the sustainability of the judiciary and in order not to create problems related to the provision of resources, the new reform will include transitional periods.

Another important change that the new bill will introduce is related to the calculation of the magistrates’ pension, a measure that is in line with the government policy of reducing public spending.

During the meeting at the Government House the need for a predictable salary in the judiciary, ensuring working conditions for magistrates and the large volume of activity were also analysed.

Also attending the meeting along Bolojan was senior public official with the Ministry of Justice Roxana Simona Momeu and Director Alina Radoi.

On behalf of the magistrates’ associations, representatives of the Association of Romania’s Magistrates, the National Union of Romania’s Judges, the Association of Judges for the Defence of Human Rights, the Association of Romania’s Prosecutors, the Association of the Forum of Romania’s Judges also participated.

AGERPRES