The Conference of European Parliament Group Chairmen decided on Thursday 11 April to convene a debate on the situation of the rule of law in Romania next week at the legislature’s last plenary session, at the request of the EPP, which issued a statement on the subject.
“Unfortunately, as the weeks go by, the rule of law in Romania is deteriorating. The latest campaign against Laura Codruţa Kövesi, Parliament’s first candidate for the post of Prosecutor General, is unacceptable in an EU Member State” and “the EU institutions must not be blackmailed by the Romanian authorities”, the group writes.
“Parliament's position, based on hearings of all candidates for the post of European Public Prosecutor, is clear: Laura Codruţa Kövesi should be the first European prosecutor. She is capable, bold, competent and independent; the perfect attributes for someone who should be in such an important and complex position. Her experience proves that she is capable of fighting corruption and crime. We should not let the harsh campaign against her by the Romanian authorities prevent the European institutions from choosing the best candidate”, commented Ingeborg Grässle (EPP, Germany). The debate with the Commission will take place on Monday afternoon. Parliament has already voted on a resolution on Romania last November (see EUROPE 12136/2) and will not submit any new ones. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)