July 9 (SeeNews) - Romania's president Klaus Iohannis on Monday signed a decree to dismiss the chief of the anti-corruption agency DNA, Laura Codruta Kovesi, obeying a top court ruling to do so, the presidential spokesperson said.
"The President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Iohannis, has always stated that he respects the Constitution and the laws of this country [...]. Therefore, in the execution of the Constitutional Court's decision no. 358/2018, the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, today signed the decree dismissing Ms Laura Codruta Kövesi from the post of chief prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate," presidential spokeswoman Madalina Dobrovolschi said a news conference broadcast by Digi 24 TV station.
"Mr. Klaus Iohannis points out that regardless of the name of the chief prosecutor of the National Anticorruption Directorate, this institution has the obligation to continue its professional activity at the highest level of performance," Dobrovolschi said.
Kovesi is due to make a statement later on Monday.
On Thursday, the ruling coalition of the Social Democrat Party (PSD) and the Liberal-Democrat Alliance (ALDE) said it is considering to seek the suspension of president Klaus Iohannis over his refusal to comply with the Constitutional Court decision to dismiss the head of the anti-graft agency. The final decision on the suspension was to be taken on Monday.
Under Romania's constitution, an incumbent president who seriously violates the Constitution may be suspended in a joint session of the two houses of parliament. If a suspension motion passes, a referendum on the impeachment of the president has to be called within 30 days.
At the end of May, Romania's Constitutional Court ruled that president Iohannis must dismiss Laura Codruta Kovesi.The court also ruled that the president's refusal to meet the government's demands and sack Kovesi has created a constitutional and inter-institutional conflict.
In April the president rejected a proposal by justice minister Tudorel Toader to dismiss Kovesi. Toader claimed Kovesi had allegedly damaged the country's image abroad. In response, the Romanian government took the case to the Constitutional Court.
EU officials and anti-corruption institutions have praised DNA's activity in general and Kovesi's activity in particular on numerous occasions, stressing that her efforts are crucial for the country's fight against corruption.
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