Romania to Replace Kovesi Amid Fears of Political Interference
Former anti-corruption chief prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi leaving the National Anti-Corruption Directorate on Monday. Photo: Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos |
Romania’s government is set to nominate a new anti-graft chief prosecutor by the end of July, after the country’s President announced early on Monday that he was dismissing anti-chief corruption prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi following a ruling of the Constitutional Court.
President Klaus Iohannis’ move raised concern over the future of the anti-corruption agency, DNA, from opposition and foreign diplomats, while anti-corruption activists sent messages to the President’s social media accounts criticizing his decision.
Kovesi, who had become a symbol of the fight against corruption in Romania, served as head of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate for over five years, since 2013, the first chief prosecutor to obtain a second mandate. Previously, she was the country’s youngest Attorney General and finished two mandates.
“Corruption can be defeated! Do not give up,” she said defiantly on Monday, before she left the headquarters of the DNA after a short conference.
Her dismissal came after months of political bickering between the ruling Social Democrats and their allies – who accused Kovesi of fabricating cases against prominent politicians – and opposition parties, President Iohannis and members of civil society groups and anti-corruption activists, who supported her fight against corruption.
Activists have protested in Bucharest in her support on many occasions since January 2017.
The Minister of Justice, Tudorel Toader, asked the President in February to fire Kovesi over accusations that she had influenced cases against prominent politicians and had failed to discipline prosecutors who did not follow procedures.
The Constitutional Court ruled on May 30 that the President, who had refused to comply with the dismissal request, was obliged to sign the decree and fire the chief prosecutor.
Iohannis’ announcement came five weeks after ruling coalition leaders said they were ready to suspend him if he did not comply.
“The President did what he was obliged to do. A court ruling needs to be respected,” former Constitutional Court chief Augustin Zegrean told news channel Digi 24 on Monday.
However, hundreds of supporters of the former chief prosecutor accused Iohannis of not standing up to the ruling party. “You have disappointed us,” several users posted on Iohannis’ official Facebook page.
Ruling party leader Liviu Dragnea told journalists on Monday that the Social Democrats were still considering suspending Iohannis.
“President Iohannis dismissed Ms Kovesi after 30 days, but I don’t think he did it to abide by the Constitution but because of pressure, probably from personal calculations,” he claimed.
Minister Toader on Monday afternoon said prosecutors were being invited to submit their applications for Kovesi’s post by July 30.
In 2013, when Kovesi was appointed, she was selected by a commission made up of the Justice Minister as well as three magistrates and a psychologist.
In 2018, the candidates will be interviewed by Minister Toader, who is a technocrat but is politically appointed, and his state secretaries.
Many opposition politicians as well as foreign diplomats have expressed concerns over the fate of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate and the fight against corruption.
Liberal senator Alina Gorghiu, a lawyer, wrote on Facebook that she hopes the fight against corruption will continue and that magistrates will not tolerate political interference.
“I trust the DNA and I believe it will keep functioning professionally, that it will show maturity and that it doesn’t only depend on one person,” she said on Monday.
The US embassy as well as the European Commission also expressed support for Romania’s anti-graft institutions.
“We call on Romania to maintain and support its strong anti-corruption institutions,” the embassy said in a press release issued on Monday.
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