Romanian PM confirms Codruta Kovesi's nomination for head of Anti-Corruption Agency

Codruţa Kovesi, Romania's former general prosecutor, will be nominated as head of the country's Anti-Corruption Agency DNA, said Prime Minister Victor Ponta. The PM was to meet the prosecutors of the Supreme Court of Magistrates to talk about the nominations for the head prosecutor and the head of the Anti-Corruption Agency, followed by a talk with the country's president Traian Basescu.

Ponta is currently also the interim Justice Minister, after the previous minister Mona Pivniceru was named as a Constitutional Court judge. The former DNA head Daniel Morar was also recently named as a Constitutional Court judge. The possibility of Kovesi becoming head of the DNA has caused some disagreements in Romania's ruling coalition the Social Liberal Union (USL), as USL co-head Crin Antonescu said he was against the nomination. “I don't agree, I am against this, I think it is a big mistake, from a judicial point of view, as well as from a political point of view to name Kovesi,” said Antonescu. As interim Justice Minister, PM Victor Ponta has to appoint a new head for the DNA. Antonescu said he told the PM about his views, but added he does not want to influence the naming of chief prosecutor and has not made any proposal. Kovesi is seen as a person close to the president Traian Basescu, who is an opponent of the USL and a member of the opposition Democratic Liberal Party PDL. The quarrels between president and the PM since the USL came to power have at times been bitter, rancorous and personal. editor@romania-insider.com