Iohannis: I will make a decision on removal of DNA chief Kovesi after Easter; right now, Brexit talks are going very well for us

Anca Alexe 23/03/2018 | 16:51

President Klaus Iohannis said today, in Brussels, that he will leave the decision on whether or not the Anti-Corruption Agency (DNA) chief prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi should be removed from her role until after Easter, and that he will take into account arguments from both sides of the issue.

Justice minister Tudorel Toader compiled a report several weeks ago where he explained why he thinks Kovesi should be replaced as DNA chief, claiming that she has used her power inappropriately and that the agency under her leadership is headed in the wrong direction.

On the other hand, the Superior Magistracy Council (CSM) disagreed with Toader’s proposal after hearing arguments from both him and Kovesi. CSM argues that the minister’s report did not reference the legal attributions Kovesi allegedly breached, and that the managerial components are “listed generically” and the report is not specific about any illegally used resources, behavioural deficiencies, unfulfilled legal obligations or lacking managerial abilities.

Iohannis also talked about the recently-announced commission for euro membership, saying that if all the commissions and committees will actually come together in a serious forum and concrete measures are taken, the 2024 target could be met, as long as there is political – and namely governmental – willingness.

On the changes to the justice laws, the president said that he is expecting them to be improved “to the point where they are good and they satisfy the needs of Romanian society.” He added that when the laws will be in front of him, he will analyse them and make a public statement on his opinions on specific amendments and on the actions he will choose to take.

Asked whether he spoke with EC president Jean-Claude Juncker about the letter Juncker had received from PM Viorica Dancila, in which she claimed that the EU seems to be getting involved in the Romanian justice system and asked for explanations, Iohannis said that he did speak to Juncker about the letter, and that he told him that the PM’s claims are a legitimate concern of the public and that he asked him that the EC treat the matter seriously and come up with a pertinent response.

Iohannis added that in his opinion, there is no involvement by the European Commission in the Romanian justice system.

Yesterday, journalists asked Iohannis about Brexit, and he said that he would say more at a later date, but that “as of now, it looks very good for us”.

 

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