Romania’s president appoints head prosecutors, nominated by SocDem Justice Minister

The president of Romania, Nicusor Dan, appointed on April 8 seven head prosecutors and deputy head prosecutors and rejected only one of the eight nominees sent on the day before by the Social Democrat (PSD) Justice Minister Radu Marinescu. This happened despite negative opinions issued by the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) for three of them and no opinion for two of them.

The appointments were broadly seen as a concession made to Social Democrats and a gesture that would put an end to hopes for more active investigations into high-level corruption cases. The concession would be part of a broader agenda,including the heads of the intelligence services (still to be appointed) and the stability of the ruling coalition, with or without prime minister Ilie Bolojan and with or without the prime ministership transfer in April 2027.