The MPs Thursday adopted a package of five laws for combating corruption in the first reading. The initiatives envision increasing the salaries of judges and the polygraph testing of the candidates for the post of judge. The integrity of the public functionaries will be also tested. Amendments were also passed as regards the disciplinary punishment of judges. The bills were adopted by the votes of the parliamentary majority, IPN reports.

Severe reprimand was eliminated from the law on the disciplinary punishment of judges. There was introduced another punishment – the reduction in the judge’s salary by up to 30% a month during a year, depending on the committed violation. The composition of the Disciplinary Board was reduced from 10 to 9 members. Five members will be elected by the Assembly of Judges, while four from among civil society, through the agency of a public contest held by the Ministry of Justice.

Under another legislative initiative, the candidates for judge and prosecutor will take the polygraph test. The judges will not be allowed to discuss the examined cases with other persons, not event public servants. There was introduced the notion of ‘extended confiscation’ of property, which will be applied against convicted persons. Punishments were also instituted for illegal enrichment. The fines for violating the legislation were increased to up to 200,000 lei, while the period during which the culprits will be banned from holding particular public posts was extended to 5 years.

Under the adopted amendments, the judges who will reach 50, which is the retirement age for this category of functionaries, will be able to choose to either work until the age limit of 65 or to retire. If the judges choose to work, they will receive only salary. Afterward, the pension will be calculated according to the general rules.

Currently, the judges of the ordinary courts have salaries of up to 3,400 lei, of the Courts of Appeals of almost 5,000 and of the Supreme Court of Justice of about 6,000 lei. When the amendments take effect, the salaries will rise by three average official salaries in the case of judges of ordinary courts with a length of service of up to 6 years. At the Court of Appeals, judges’ pays will increase by four average salaries, while at the Supreme Court of Justice by 4.8 salaries. The pays of presidents and vice presidents of courts will rise by up to 20%.

The testing of the professional integrity of functionaries will be initiated by the National Anticorruption Center at all the public entities, except the Security and Information Service (SIS). The SIS will test the employees of the National Anticorruption Center, while the SIS employees will be tested by a special subdivision of the Service.

The Communist MPs said many of the adopted provisions are unconstitutional and refused to vote for the anticorruption initiatives.