The magistrates who came for presidential consultations at the end of last year brought 'serious accusations', and the referendum in which they will participate aims to collect evidence in that regard, President Nicusor Dan said on Tuesday.

'The accusations that were brought at that time were very serious. That is, there was talk of affecting even the independence of the magistrate as an individual part of the justice system. And these accusations are very serious. On the other hand, they are at this moment accusations that are not proven with facts. That is where we start. And that is why I think it is important, until there are materials, eventually, in which the accusations turn into truths, it is important to consult with magistrates regarding the current situation in the system. That's what I said, that's what we're going to do. And now we are working on the electronic system that will allow such consultation,' Dan told Radio Romania Actualitati public broadcaster.

He said that he also had individual discussions with members of the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM) on this subject.

Dan also mentioned about logistical details regarding the referendum among magistrates.

'Maybe there will be a question, maybe there will be more questions, but what we are dealing with at the moment is to define the way of working, of consultation, so that, on the one hand, the confidentiality of those who answer is ensured, that is, that there is no doubt about the fact that what a magistrate says is known only by him or her. On the other hand, there should be no doubt about the fact that the consultation is real, that those who answer the questions are magistrates. And that requires a logistical effort, informatics, let's call it that,' he said.

The president added that some magistrates told him that they were afraid.

'That is why we want the consultation system to ensure total confidentiality of those who respond. (...) Some serious accusations were made, and we ask the magistrates if they consider that those accusations are real or not,' added Dan.

If the results of the referendum show that those problems exist in magistracy, the head of state said that he will consult with CSM.

'For the moment that is a hypothesis. If this hypothesis will be fulfilled, then it is obvious that there must be an appropriate response from the Supreme Council of Magistrates. But, once again, it is a hypothesis and I do not want to accuse in advance, but only to say that it is a hypothesis,' said Dan. AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu)