Naming a prosecutor outside the Anti-Corruption Agency DNA to run it is wrong, according to the Institute of Public Policies (IPP), which supports the idea of having a prosecutor with experience in instrumenting important anti-corruption cases leading the DNA. “While political leaders in Romania and in Brussels speak about the independence of justice, we're unfortunately watching a degrading show with trade off negotiations,” according to the IPP.

The nominations for the head of DNA and chief prosecutor seem to have caused plenty of concern and responses on various levels. Prime Minister Ponta's nomination of Laura Codruta Kovesi, who used to be the chief prosecutor, at the helm of DNA, displeased coalition allies the National Liberal Party, whose leader Crin Antonescu recently made some harsh statements, which could mark the beginning of the end for the Social Liberal Union USL.

Tiberiu Niţu was the PM's proposal for chief prosecutor, but that too triggered comments, as Nitu had been rejected in the past by the Supreme Court of Magistrates. “The Institute of Public Policies disagrees with re-nominated a prosecutor which has been already rejected by the prosecutors via the Supreme Court of Magistrates. We'd be surprised if president Traian Basescu approved his naming after having already rejected it in the past,” according to the IPP statement.

A few others were on the proposal lists: Bogdan Licu was Ponta's proposal for deputy chief prosecutor, Alina Bica as chief prosecutor at the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism - DIICOT – and Elena Hosu as deputy chief prosecutor at DIICOT.

Only a prosecutor with proven experience can handle corruption investigations, given the widespread corruption in Romania, and the country is not willing to experiment by placing any other kind of prosecutors at the helm of its anti-corruption agency, the IPP concluded.

editor@romania-insider.com