Nicușor Dan’s recent statements about the justice system sparked an avalanche of reactions on social networks, especially on Reddit, where users intensely debated the Romanian president’s words.
Nicușor Dan made statements about special pensions and judicial corruption. PHOTO: Inquam Photos
In a press conference, President Nicușor Dan spoke about the social pressure on magistrates and about the deep problems of the judicial system in Romania.
“There is social pressure on magistrates. Everything that is bad in the country happens because they have too high pensions. A judge told me: I am afraid to say publicly that I am a judge. This is not normal”said Nicușor Dan.
On the other hand, he also lamented the lack of investigations into corruption:
“Unfortunately, corruption crimes are no longer prosecuted. We have to ask ourselves why we no longer investigate magistrates. The statistics show that it is impossible for an entire professional category not to have dry spells.”
“A modern aristocracy” or a guild under siege?
Many Reddit users reacted vehemently, considering that the real problem is the fact that the magistrates are not doing their job efficiently, in the context where in Romania corruption reaches record levels in the EU, but they want to retire at 48 and receive a pension at least as high as the salary.
“If it wasn’t for the fences to hear about the defendants going out on the conveyor belt through the statute of limitations, nobody would be dealing with their pensions. They did it to themselves.”
“Woe to them poor people. The justice system was running wild in this country and we didn’t know it. No one had a problem if you had pensions and high salaries if they were justified, but they are not justified… you also have the arrogance not to say that you have established yourself in a caste.”
“The social pressure is because it is too obvious how badly justice is going. That we see too often cases of prescriptions or punishments that are too small or even absent. That’s why everyone thinks that the pension is too high. That maybe if he did his job properly and didn’t get off all these sly guys so easily, he wouldn’t be afraid of the court to say publicly what he’s doing.”
“There is clearly a need for a referendum to get rid of the manipulation and pressure from the judges! It’s unacceptable what’s happening! They’re a modern aristocracy that doesn’t even do their jobs.” someone suggested.
Another user noted the paradox: “A kid steals from a store and gets four years, a corrupt minister sleeps peacefully on the stolen money.”
“Shame on them, not fear!
At the same time, the statement “I’m afraid to say I’m a judge” became the leitmotif of the discussion. Many scoffed at the idea that magistrates were victims of a hostile climate:
“Shame on them, not fear! Shame on the reprieve, on the pedophiles and rapists set free. The social pressure is because we see too many cases of prescriptions and ridiculous sentences.”
“Criminals don’t keep themselves free, it really is a lot of work — but it’s not the people’s fault that justice goes wrong.”
Others have nuanced the tone: “Not all magistrates are corrupt. Nicușor Dan gave the example of a judge at the beginning of his career who does his job correctly, but who is ashamed to publicly say what his profession is.”
“I have a young magistrate in my family who works 10-12 hours a day. He doesn’t have millions in his accounts, he takes public transport and avoids saying what he does because of the generalized hatred”, someone else reported.
Nicusor Dan between two camps
The Mayor General’s statements were interpreted differently. Some saw in them an attempt at balance, others a political double game:
“The problem with Nicușor is that he gives one hot and one cold. It’s like he’s playing at two tables. He’s either with us, or he’s with them!”
“It’s not about duplicity, it’s about a balanced position. He listens to both sides. That’s what a responsible politician should do.” someone retorted.
“It’s called being realistic. It criticizes special pensions, but it also recognizes that the system needs reform and stability.” – someone else intervened.
Beyond ironic or angry reactions, the discussion reveals a reality: trust in justice is deeply eroded. Prescribed cases of corruption, controversial decisions and lack of transparency have created a wave of distrust.
“Judges reap what they sow. People’s hatred is the result of their work: murderers and rapists let go, politicians freed for prescribed deeds. While ordinary people are treated with contempt.”
Finally, one user summed up the general tone of the discussion perfectly: “There is no shame in being a judge. It is a shame in being morally depraved and silent for years without saying anything.”
