Moldova's New Prosecutor General to Fight Corruption
Veronica Mihailov-Moraru, Moldova's Minister of Justice, announced on Radio Moldova's "360 Degrees" program that Ion Munteanu possesses all the necessary qualifications to serve decisively as Prosecutor General.
His performance during the selection process clearly demonstrated his commitment to achieving these objectives.
The Minister added that strengthening the judiciary, advancing the vetting process, and enhancing the quality of corruption investigations should be the new Prosecutor General's top priorities.
"While all three candidates who participated in the interview stage delivered strong presentations, as evidenced by their outlined management philosophies, the content of their motivation letters, and their presentations themselves, Ion Munteanu's candidate stood out for his firm commitment to combating corruption and crime," Justice Minister Veronica Mihailov-Moraru stated. "He has also outlined a clear plan to address various shortcomings within the prosecution system, which aligns with the message recently delivered by President Maia Sandu. This message emphasised the need for both prosecutors and judges to take decisive action."
Mihailov-Moraru expressed that she had anticipated more progress from Ion Munteanu during his almost two-year tenure as interim Prosecutor General. However, she acknowledged that this interim period allowed Munteanu to gain firsthand experience with the complexities and challenges inherent to the position.
"I was a member of the Superior Council of Prosecutors when we evaluated the successes and failures of the Prosecutor General's temporary mandate," the Minister continued. "Ensuring stability within the prosecution system and contributing to a more effective role for prosecutors in the justice system are paramount. This necessarily includes strengthening the prosecutorial body and, most importantly, setting a strong tone in the fight against both high-level corruption and everyday corruption. However, it is important to recognize that the Prosecutor General cannot achieve these goals alone."
Ion Munteanu was sworn in as Prosecutor General for a seven-year term on June 1st. He was designated the winner by the Superior Council of Prosecutors on May 30th.
President Maia Sandu remarked during the investiture ceremony that, unfortunately, actions taken within the justice system often fall short of the rhetoric. She emphasised that with the appointment of the new Prosecutor General, the time has come for more decisive, swifter, and fairer actions.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
