Romania's Justice Ministry has initiated the procedure for selecting a new general prosecutor. The term of incumbent general prosecutor Augustin Lazar, who has a tense relationship with justice minister Tudorel Toader, expires on April 28.

Lazar repeatedly criticized the ruling coalition's changes in the justice laws and criminal codes. Justice minister Tudorel Toader asked for his dismissal at the end of last year, but president Klaus Iohannis refused to sign it. The justice minister later abandoned the idea of dismissing Lazar as his mandate is close to expiring anyway.

Candidates interested in the general prosecutor position can submit their applications by March 28, 17:00, Romania’s Ministry of Justice announced, according to Hotnews.ro. The interviews with the candidates will be rebroadcast live on the ministry’s webpage.

Minister Toader stressed on the day the call to candidates was released, that the new general prosecutor “must demonstrate good faith, be close to the people and the citizens' fundamental rights to freedom.”

The justice minister will pick up a candidate and propose him to the section for prosecutors of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), to obtain an opinion. After obtaining CSM’s view, the justice minister will submit the proposal of the president of Romania for appointment to the position of Chief Prosecutor, the Ministry of Justice explained.

editor@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Inquam Photos / Octav Ganea)