PM: President’s Reasons To Refuse Justice Min Proposal, Ungrounded – Sources

Romanian Prime Minister Calin Tariceanu told ministers in Wednesday’s cabinet meeting that government legal advisers consider the reasons cited by President Traian Basescu on the proposal of liberal senator Norica Nicolai for justice minister are ungrounded, people close to the matter told MEDIAFAX.

2 views

The president on Tuesday sent Tariceanu and open letter asking him to discard the proposal of Nicolai for the position, saying her reputation has been dented in the public eye.

Government legal advisers said the president’s reasons are not sufficient to justify his refusal to promote Nicolai as minister.

Government spokesperson Camelia Spataru later said the prime minister will send a letter to the president on Wednesday, asking him to appoint Nicolai as justice minister.

Asked whether Tariceanu will nominate someone else for the position, Spataru said she does not know the details to be included in the premier’s letter, but as far as she knows, Tariceanu stands by Nicolai.

"The prime minister will stand by his proposition," Spataru said.

Liberal sources told MEDIAFAX that Tariceanu is considering notifying the Constitutional court if the president still refuses to sign the decree appointing Nicolai as justice minister.

Under the Constitutional Court Decision 356/2007, the president does not have veto rights in the matter, but may check whether the nominee is right for the position and may ask the prime minister to nominate someone else, if the request is motivated.

The Constitutional Court formulated the abovementioned decision when president Basescu early 2007 had refused to appoint liberal Adrian Cioroianu as foreign affairs minister.

Liberal vice-president Ludovic Orban told MEDIAFAX on Tuesday the party will continue to back Nicolai for the justice minister position, adding the head of state “will eventually abide by his constitutional obligations".

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.