Proposed Justice Minister says government must settle judges' salary arrears
Radu Marinescu said the government is obliged to pay the outstanding salaries of magistrates after definitive court rulings and will look for a fiscally responsible way to do so.
At the close of parliamentary hearings, Radu Marinescu, the nominee for Justice Minister, affirmed that the state must fulfill court-ordered payments to magistrates whose salaries are in arrears. He clarified that the Justice Ministry is not the credit authority and that responsibilities must be clearly defined before intervening. Marinescu said the new government inherits a difficult fiscal situation after a prolonged interim period and will discuss payment options with the Finance Ministry and the claimants to avoid destabilising the budget, especially with winter approaching.
He referenced a recent decision by the Înalta Curte de Casație și Justiție that upheld a lower-court verdict obliging the executive to provide the full funds needed for the arrears. The minister stressed respect for definitive judgments while seeking a financially responsible formula.
Why it matters
Unpaid magistrate salaries affect judicial independence and state finances, prompting urgent budget decisions.
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