Law Commission approves legal changes on magistrates’ salaries

With 8 votes in favor from the Socialists and 3 against from the Democrats, the Law Commission approved article by article the legal changes for raising magistrates’ salaries. Approval of the draft paves the way for its review and vote on Thursday in plenary session.

At the request of the Democratic Party and with the majority’s agreement, representatives of justice institutions were called to be heard in the commission, and they opposed the formula proposed by the government.

On behalf of the High Prosecutorial Council, chairwoman Mirela Bogdani spoke against the majority’s formula. Along the same lines was the deputy chairman of the High Court, Ilir Panda.

Harsher in his stance before the MPs was the head of the Judges’ Association, Gerd Hoxha. He emphasized that the Constitutional Court’s decision cannot be negotiated.

The opposition also lined up against the draft, demanding the changes be rejected and criticizing the government over how salaries are set in the justice system.

“We are facing a constitutional crisis caused by the executive, by the government. We warned you about this 10 years ago. You are not able to set a salary hierarchy. The law must be rejected,” said Democratic MP Oerd Bylykbashi.

Present at the Law Commission meeting, Justice Minister Toni Gogu criticized Parliament for the delay in approving the new formula, but stated that the draft proposed by the majority resolves the situation.

“Parliament missed the July 31 deadline; this is something we don’t need to justify. I want to say one thing clearly: I don’t believe Parliament’s delay would bring a clash between powers,” Gogu said.

The clash over salaries in the justice system began after Parliament failed to approve the new salary formula by July 31, in line with the Constitutional Court’s requirement.

After the deadline expired, the High Judicial Council and the High Prosecutorial Council decided that, from August 1, the reference salary would be calculated on 222,425 lek, plus an additional 14,000 lek for qualification.