| Author (Person) | Rocha, Frederico |
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| Publisher | Cardiff EDC |
| Series Details | August to December 2017 |
| Publication Date | 11/12/2017 |
| Content Type | News |
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Background and further information: The National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) has overseen the prosecution of a number of high-level politicians throughout the years, including the former Prime Minister Victor Ponta. Its top prosecuror, Laura Kövesi, has been often accused of pursuing a politically-motivated agenda and of relying on intelligence agencies to gather evidence. The proposal put forward would see the justice minister nominate a candidate to lead the DNA, who would then be appointed by the Superior Magistrates Council. This would replace a method by which the president has the authority to appoint the prosecutor, based on a proposal from the justice minister and the opinion of the council. Romania's President Klaus Iohannis condemned the proposals, stating it was an attack on rule of law and on judiciary independence. A representative from the European Commission also warned the reform could undermine the country’s efforts to tackle corruption. This episode took place only months after major demonstrations took over the streets in Romania against an emergency decree decriminalising several graft offences which was later repealed. Romania's justice minister put forward on 23 August 2017 a set of measures to reform the country's judicial system, including changes to the appointment the chief anti-corruption prosecutor. The plans prompted accusations from different stakeholders, which saw them as an attack on rule of law. In the following months, there were also protests on the streets against the proposals. |
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| Countries / Regions | Romania |
