Press Review - February 28, 2018

02.28.2018 By Oana Gavrila

Judicial Watchdog Rejects Proposed Dismissal Of Chief Anticorruption Prosecutor

Romania’s judicial watchdog Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) on Tuesday rejected justice minister Tudorel Toader’s proposed dismissal of chief anticorruption prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi, Council vice-president Codrut Olaru said.

Magistrates issued a negative non-binding stance at the end of a sitting of the prosecutors’ section within the CSM during which Kovesi said the minister’s reasons for her dismissal are “unreal and lack any kind of evidence”.

She also reminded that anticorruption agency DNA had the best results in its history in 2016.

Kovesi has been DNA’s chief prosecutor since 2013.

Tudorel Toader on Thursday called for the dismissal of Laura Codruta Kovesi citing facts and acts which are “intolerable to the rule of law”.

President Klaus Iohannis will have the final say in Kovesi’s removal from office. He said on Friday that Toader failed to provide enough reasons for the proposed dismissal and reaffirmed his support for the chief anticorruption prosecutor.

Toader’s proposal led to thousands of people rallying across Romania on Sunday evening to support Kovesi and the European Commission said it might reassess the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) report on Romania following the minister’s call. The latest CVM report, released on November 15, concluded that Romania has made progress, but that challenges related to judicial independence have been “a persistent source of concern”.

 

Parliament Committee Rejects Bill Restricting Used Car Acquisitions

The Senate's budget-finance committee on Tuesday thumbed down a bill that would allow only companies to buy used cars from outside Romania and individuals would be allowed to buy just one used car every two years.

The bill, initiated by lawmakers of the ruling Social Democratic Party, seeks to limit imports of second-hand cars and improve tax collection by eliminating untaxed sales and acquisitions of used cars among individuals.

The Finance Ministry said the propositions in the bill would breach the EU directive on value-added tax and said it does not support the initiative.

 

Romania Faces Strong Wind, Very Low Temperatures

Seven counties in south and southeastern Romania are under orange code warning for strong wind and snowfall, while the southern half of the country is under code yellow for very low temperatures until Thursday.

Counties Giurgiu, Calaraşi, Ialomita, Buzau, Braila, Constanta, and Tulcea were placed under orange code advisory for strong winds, snowfall, and low visibility until Wednesday evening.

Capital Bucharest and 27 counties in the Southern half of the country are under yellow code advisory for frost until Thursday.

Railway operator CFR Calatori canceled 90 trains on Tuesday due to the snowfall and frost that hit the country. Road traffic also suffered disruptions, as two highways and various sections on 27 national roads were closed.

 

Kovesi Presents Anticorruption Department 2017 Activity Report

Romania's Anticorruption Department presents its 2017 activity report Wednesday, one day after the judicial watchdog rejected the justice minister's proposition to dismiss chief prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi.

Justice minister Tudor Toader said he would not attend the presentation of the report. President Klaus Iohannis confirmed his attendance.