The Effect Of EU Anti-Corruption Measures On The Romanian Judiciary

Abstract

This study is an examination of a changing judiciary in an emerging democracy. As part of the conditions mandated for European Union (EU) accession, Romania has been urged to demonstrate movement toward greater rule of law (Romania, 2008). One way in which Romania has responded to this objective is through the creation of the Superior Council of the Magistracy (CSM), a judicial body separate from the executive branch. Additionally, changes are occurring to the Romanian judiciary as a result of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) power to remand cases that are inconsistent with the European Convention on Human Rights (Janis, 2000). This qualitative research involved an attitudinal study based on semi-structured interviews of members of the Romanian judiciary. This research is unique because, although many studies of the population's perception of corruption are available, this study involves the suggestions of members of the Romanian judiciary themselves.