President of the Senate Mircea Abrudean said on Tuesday that there is no question of a possible motion of no confidence tabled during the Government’s confidence vote on the magistrates’ pension bill passing, noting that the Executive has done its job and that Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan is the one who should be appreciated.

‘I have no fear that anyone in the coalition might vote for a possible motion of no confidence against their own Government, supported by this coalition, especially on an issue supported by the entire coalition, and not only the coalition but the opposition as well. First of all, I do not know whether the opposition will file a motion of no confidence, from their public statements I understand they will not, but of course it is their right and they have three days to do so. If it happens, I do not think there is any question of such a motion passing,’ Abrudean said when asked whether he had concerns that MPs from the coalition parties might vote in favour of a motion of no confidence if the opposition tables one during the Government’s confidence vote.

Asked whether he believes the National Resilience and Recovery (PNRR) milestone on special pensions has been met given that the bill concerns only magistrates and not other categories of special pension beneficiaries, Mircea Abrudean said that this will be decided by the European Commission.

‘It is good that Romania is doing what it must in order not to lose European funds. This is an important step and I hope it will be closed once and for all. Further on, regulation in the other areas will also be needed,’ the Senate President added.

According to him, there is a risk that the law may be struck down by the Constitutional Court if the judges of the High Court lodge a referral.

Asked whether someone should take responsibility if Romania loses funds, the Senate President said that ‘those who must will take responsibility,’ but „Ilie Bolojan is the one who should be appreciated, as he came up with a bill everyone spoke of but no one did anything about it.”

The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate will meet on Tuesday afternoon for the Government’s confidence vote on the bill on magistrates’ pensions. AGERPRES