Protests to support Romania’s anti-corruption prosecutor

Thousand of people went out on the streets of Bucharest and major cities in Romania, on Sunday evening, despite the cold weather and the blizzard, to demand the resignation of Romanian Justice Minister Tudorel Toader, following his request to dismiss the Anti-Corruption Chief Prosecutor, Laura Codruta Kövesi.

Protesters who rallied in Bucharest, Cluj, Timișoara, Iași, Brașov, Sibiu, Ploiești or Satu Mare expressed their disagreement with the amendments to the Laws of Justice, chanted slogans against the Social-Democratic Party (PSD) and the ALDE – the two parties in the governmental coalition – called for the dismissal of Minister Toader, for resignation of Speakers from both Parliament Chambers (Liviu Dragnea and Călin Popescu Tariceanu), and showed their support for Laura Codruta Kövesi, who leads the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA). They expressed belief that she must continue to do her work.

Last Thursday, o February 22nd, Tudorel Toader called for the dismissal of Kövesi for “excess of authority”.

President Klaus Iohannis, who has the final say in removing top prosecutors from office, gave Kovesi his support on Friday and criticised Toader for failing to provide sufficient reasons for Kovesi’s dismissal.

Head of the National Anticorruption Directorate, Laura Codruta Kövesi, will be heard on Tuesday at 14,00 at the headquarters of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), as part of the proceedings launched by Justice Minister Tudorel Toader to dismiss her.

According to the law, Minister of Justice may request the dismissal of the DNA Chief Prosecutor, Prosecutor's Office of the CSM gives an advisory opinion, and the decision is taken by the Head of State.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei