Justice Minister Carlo Nordio on
Friday told the inauguration ceremony of the Judicial Year at
the supreme Cassation Court that a Constitutional bill to reform
the judiciary is a pledge made to voters.
"The Constitutional reform in progress is a duty towards
voters", said Nordio of the planned government reform he
designed to separate the career paths of judges and prosecutors
so they can no longer switch between the two roles.
The justice minister noted that the reform is new but crystal
clear as far as the independence and autonomy of the judiciary
are concerned.
"Any speculation on potential future variations [of the reform]
is an arbitrary, divinatory interpretation.
"The content of the reform is well-known but I will reiterate
once more the absolute premise of the independence of
prosecutors from the executive power.
"The role of the judge will come out protected and strengthened,
without weakening the prosecution" and "the sides", or the
defence and prosecution, "will be in a condition of parity in
front of a third and impartial judge", he noted.
The judiciary's union, the National Association of Magistrates
(ANM), has said the reform would radically change the
Constitution by altering the relationship between the State's
powers, laying the ground for a possible political influence
over judicial power.
Members have announced protests at the inauguration ceremonies
of the Judicial Year scheduled to take place on Saturday at
appeals courts across the country and it is set to strike
against it on February 27.
The reform, which also changes the make-up of the judiciary's
self-governing body, the CSM, overhauling the way its justices
are elected by using a draw process, and creates a High Court to
discipline judges and State attorneys, received a first green
light from the Lower House and needs at least three other votes
in Parliament before becoming law.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
