An association of European judges on
Wednesday wrote to Premier Giorgia Meloni and Justice Minister
Carlo Nordio saying their plans to separate the career paths of
judges and prosecutors so they can no longer switch between the
roles risks undermining the independence of the judiciary, as
Italian magistrates have long contended.
"The European Association of Magistrates once again urges Italy
to renounce the announced changes to the Constitution and the
legal framework that regulates the judiciary", it said in the
letter.
"A single and common autonomous governing body for judges and
public prosecutors offers the possibility of guaranteeing the
necessary strong representation of the judiciary within it and,
consequently, effective protection against undue influences on
its independence.
"As a reaction to the experience of the fascist regime, the
drafters of the 1946 Constitution intended to calibrate the
balance between the various powers of the State: this balance
and the necessary independence of the judiciary would be
compromised and put at risk if the proposed reform were to be
adopted".
The government has denied opposition and magistrates' claims
that their Constitutional reform aims to put the judiciary under
the control of the executive branch.
photo: Meloni taking office with the traditional bell two years
ago
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