Separating Judiciary Careers Not Punishment – Nordio

Rome: Justice Minister Carlo Nordio on Wednesday defended his bill to separate the career paths of prosecutors and judges, asserting that the reform was not meant to penalize the judiciary for decisions that may be unpopular with the current government or previous center-right administrations. “I cannot accept a trial of intentions,” Nordio stated to the Lower House, emphasizing that there is no offense or irreverence in the proposed legislation.

According to Ansa News Agency, the constitutional reform bill also aims to establish a high court to discipline members of the judiciary and modify the composition of the judiciary’s self-governing body, the CSM. The reform proposes changes in how CSM justices are elected, opting for a draw process.

The bill has faced criticism from the judiciary’s union, the National Association of Magistrates (ANM), which argues that it will weaken the judiciary.