Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on a visit to Poland
Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis in on official visit to Poland where he expected to co-chair a summit of countries involved in the so-called B9 Format initiative, a defence co-operation group including Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. President Iohannis and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda are also expected to open an exhibition celebrating „100 Years of Alliance. Romanian-Polish Diplomacy 1918 – 1939”. The exhibition is organised by the Romanian Cultural Institute in Warsaw in co-operation with Foreign Ministries in both countries and Romania’s Embassy to Warsaw. However, Romania and Poland are also linked by their controversial reforms of the judiciary. „Romania could be next in line after Poland if the ruling coalition pushes ahead with changes to the legal system, President Klaus Iohannis told reporters in December 2017. Mr. Iohannis told European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker at a meeting early this year that he would fight for the independence of Romanian courts, which he and Brussels believe it is threatened by laws put forward by the governing Social Democrats.The European Commission has invoked Article 7 against Poland over Warsaw’s overhaul of the judiciary, though Hungary would be expected to block any attempt to suspend its Polish ally’s voting rights in the European Council.
Former Romanian justice minister accused of breaking the law
A former Romanian justice minister is accused of breaking the law. Former Justice Minister Monica Macovei is accused of mismanagement of the so-called SIPA archive in a draft report of the committee investigating the case. The announcement on Thursday was made by Viorel Salan, a senator of the governing Social Democratic Party (PSD) who was chairing the committee. The Independent Service for Protection and Anti-Corruption (SIPA) was created in 1991 under Theodor Stolojan, the prime minister at the time with Mircea Ionescu Quintus as justice minister. According to the draft report, Ms. Macovei illegaly entered SIPA heardquarters while taking away secret documents. The report calls on the General Prosecutor’s Office to verify the facts seen as possible crimes. Seen by „The Economist” as „an effective administrator who has shaken up the structure and accountability of the judiciary and the prosecutor’s office”, Monica Macovei is currently a member of the European Parliament. She was appointed justice minister in 2004 following the victory of Traian Băsescu in the presidential elections. In October 2006, she appointed Laura Codruţa Kövesi as General Prosecutor. Ms. Kövesi is currently the head of the country’s National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA).
Romanian president should comply with CC ruling, justice minister says
Romania’s Justice Minister said on Thursday the country’s president should comply with rulings issued by the country’s Constitutional Court. Minister Tudorel Toader hinted at a recent CC ruling concerning the removal of Laura Codruţa Kövesi from her position as head of the country’s anti-corruption watchdog, the DNA. Mr. Toader said the presidential move should be made immediately after the CC ruling appeared in the Official Gazette. Supporters of Ms. Kövesi say she is a crusader against corruption, finally holding people once seen as untouchable to account. Critics, however, argue that the agency she leads has infringed on the civil liberties of citizens in a way not seen since communist times.
Alexandru Danga
