Romanian justice minister Tudorel Toader announced on Thursday, February 20, while leaving the General Prosecutor's Office, that he would initiate the procedure for the nomination of a new General Prosecutor.

The term of incumbent general prosecutor Augustin Lazar, who has vocally resisted the justice reforms promoted by the ruling coalition and the Justice Ministry, expires at the end of April.

Lazar said on Thursday after minister Toader left the Office without meeting him, that the visit seems to have been illegal since he is the only legal representative of the Office.

"I will go to the ministry and I will initiate the procedure of appointing the new General Prosecutor. At the end of April, the mandate [of Augustin Lazar] expires and I will initiate the procedure and until the mandate expires we will have another General Prosecutor. We have no way to know, to see who will sign up … we will see," said Tudorel Toader, as he was leaving the General Prosecutor's Office, local News.ro reported.

Augustin Lazar, who is only at his first mandate as General Prosecutor, can also compete for a new term.

editor@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Gov.ro)