The Council of the Judiciary (CSM) has sent a "black list" to the European Commission, alleging that the rule of law in Romania has been seriously undermined over the past year. This move comes after the CSM issued Decision No. 1348/09.06.2026 by Section for Judges, which outlines violations of judicial independence. The decision was accompanied by a letter signed by CSM President Liviu Gheorghe Odagiu, stating that the rule of law in Romania has come under question due to pressures exerted on the judiciary across multiple fronts. According to the CSM, these pressures have gone beyond typical political debates, budgetary discussions, or institutional reforms, crossing into areas that challenge constitutional loyalty.
In its letter to the European Commission, the CSM emphasized that each factual claim made in the decision is supported by objective evidence, including hyperlinks to public statements, official documents, court decisions, press materials, or statistical sources. The CSM asserts that this provides the necessary tools for the European Commission to directly verify the facts underlying the decision, their sequence, and cumulative nature. The CSM claims that these actions pose a systemic risk and represent a concentrated model of institutional pressure aimed at undermining the judiciary's autonomy and integrity.
The CSM accuses the government led by Prime Minister Ion Bolojan of seeking to eliminate the financial autonomy and independence of the judiciary. While the prime minister is not explicitly named, references are made to new authorities in power since July 2025. The CSM alleges that political actors, affiliated media institutions, and civil society organizations with similar approaches have conducted a sustained and coordinated campaign over approximately one year to discredit the judiciary. Initially focused on alleged financial privileges, the campaign later expanded to include accusations of widespread corruption, attacks on judges and leaders of judicial institutions, attempts to alter governance structures, proposals for exceptional vetting procedures involving external involvement in judges' careers, and legislative and administrative measures affecting the immovability, salaries, pensions, recruitment, staff, resources, and financial autonomy of the judiciary.
According to the letter sent to the European Commission, these measures and media campaigns risk inhibiting judges, eroding public trust in courts, and weakening the position of the CSM itself. The CSM describes these actions as a concentrated model of institutional pressure and views its communication as an early warning signal.
On June 10, the CSM adopted a document spanning more than 70 pages, claiming support from 3,580 judges. The document states that several politicians, NGOs, and publications have launched a campaign to discredit the justice system. The judges within the CSM identify the authors of this campaign as members of the governing coalition, particularly from USR and PNL. Although the prime minister is mentioned, he is not explicitly named.
The erosion of the rule of law in Romania has become increasingly evident in recent months. As a fundamental value of the European Union, the rule of law requires all public authorities to act within legal boundaries, ensuring that no one and nothing is above the law. This principle is essential for upholding democratic values, human rights, and human dignity. However, recent developments indicate that institutions, principles, and values associated with the rule of law are being violated daily. A significant turning point occurred on June 18, 2026, referred to as "Black Thursday," marking a critical moment in the history of the rule of law in Romania.
Under the watchful eye and apparent approval of the president of Romania, a reformist government was ousted, followed by extensive efforts to form a legitimate government. These events highlight a clear division in Romanian society between a reformist, modernizing faction respecting European values and a conservative, corrupting faction intent on violating any principles of the rule of law. The disappearance of the traditional left-right societal orientation has united individuals from different parties, despite differing interests, positions, or ideologies, contributing significantly to the crystallization of the political class and society into reformists versus conservatives.
One of the most notable changes is that the judiciary no longer operates within legal limits but instead follows the directives of the conservative group. Appointments made by the president to lead institutions heavily criticized by civil society are beginning to show their consequences. Recently, the CSM condemned members of civil society and political parties for criticizing the judiciary. Following a decision by the National Audiovisual Council (CNA) to revoke a television station’s license, the Court of Appeal suspended the decision. Similarly, after Parliament and the Government decided to disclose expenses, villas, rents, etc., of the Romanian Agency for Public Procurement Services (RAPPS), the same Court of Appeal, headed by Liana Arsenie, who directly called the phones of Liea Savonea, head of the High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ), decided not to make the information public.
During the period when the conservative faction worked intensively to dismantle the PNL from within and shape a new government, the leadership of PNL decided to sanction members of the party who wished to deviate from the established line set by the PNL leadership—line aligned with liberal and European values and traditions. A contest filed at the Ilfov County Court was resolved instantly on the same day, a rare occurrence in judicial history for speed. A presidential decision was issued to suspend the measures taken by the leadership of PNL, without discussing guilt or innocence, but rather considering urgency. It seems as though the measures taken by the leadership of a political party were so severe that national security or preventing substantial damage became concerns. Those targeted (Predoiu, Thuma, Gorghiu, Anisie, Câmpeanu, etc.) are members of the Liberal Party, making this an internal matter of a single party, not related to damages or national security.
The gravity of the situation is further compounded by the fact that the newly appointed prime minister, Adrian Veștea, is conducting negotiations with members of extremist parties, a fact that some choose to overlook, treating it as a normal occurrence. Despite having repeatedly stated his exclusion of collaboration with extremists, the president, Dan, has favored certain actions, possibly influencing the current political landscape.
RO
