General Prosecutor race in Moldova: Two candidates registered
The application period for the position of Prosecutor General, initiated on June 12, ended on Monday, July 21. Two candidates were registered, as announced by the Superior Council of Prosecutors (CSP).
The upcoming competition for the position of Prosecutor General will feature Alexandru Machidon, who is currently the acting Prosecutor General, and Victor Furtună, the acting Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases.
The Superior Council of Prosecutors will submit the necessary information to the relevant institutions responsible for integrity control. Starting today, the content of the candidates' documents will be examined in a closed session over the next 20 working days. After this review, a reasoned decision will be made regarding their eligibility.
According to the regulations governing the organization and conduct of this competition, only candidates who meet specific criteria can apply for the Prosecutor General position. These criteria include a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the legal field, including at least 5 years as a judge, prosecutor, lawyer, or criminal investigation officer; citizenship of the Republic of Moldova; and proficiency in the Romanian language. Additionally, candidates must not have been members of or engaged in activities with any political party or socio-political organization in the three years preceding the competition.
The candidate with the highest score will be recommended to President Maia Sandu for appointment. The president can reject this proposal only once and solely based on incontrovertible evidence. If a second proposal is submitted, which must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Superior Council of Prosecutors (CSP), the president is obliged to accept it.
The Prosecutor General serves a seven-year mandate, which cannot be renewed.
It's worth noting that in early July, Dumitru Obadă, the President of the Superior Council of Prosecutors, and Minister of Justice Veronica Mihailov-Moraru announced that the Republic of Moldova could have a new Prosecutor General by the end of August.
The position became vacant following Ion Munteanu’s appointment as a judge at the Supreme Court of Justice. President Maia Sandu signed the decree relieving Munteanu of his duties based on his resignation on May 26.
Currently, Alexandru Machidon is serving as the interim Prosecutor General, having been appointed to this role by presidential decree at the proposal of the Superior Council of Prosecutors. Dumitru Obadă said that the prolonged interim leadership at the Prosecutor General's Office is creating imbalances within the institution and the overall justice system.
