Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has signed a decree removing the chief anticorruption prosecutor from her post following a Constitutional Court ruling.
The president's office said on July 9 that National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi was dismissed to implement a ruling by Romania's top court, which had ordered it following accusations of incompetence.
"Constitutional Court rulings must be obeyed in a state that respects the rule of law. The president issued the decree to remove the chief prosecutor from post," presidential spokeswoman Madalina Dobrovolschi said.
Under Kovesi's leadership, conviction rates rose sharply in one of the European Union's most corruption-plagued members.
Justice Minister Tudorel Toader accused Kovesi in February of overstepping her authority and ordered her dismissal, but Iohannis rejected the order, saying it was unfounded.
The government then asked the Constitutional Court to rule on the issue.
The push to oust Kovesi has been criticized by the opposition and the European Commission and the Council of Europe.
Over the winter, thousands of Romanians took to the streets in support of Kovesi and to oppose her removal.
Dobrovolschi said the president "warned that irrespective of the name of the new chief anticorruption prosecutor, the DNA is obliged to continue its activity in a professional way, at the highest levels of performance."
Kovesi said on July 9 that her dismissal "was not a defeat."
"The independence of prosecutors is an incorruptible value," she added, flanked by dozens of prosecutors.
"The current political direction is not leaning toward an efficient justice system, but rather is aiming at blocking it," she said.
Kovesi said she would remain a prosecutor but not at the anticorruption agency. She called on her colleagues to continue their job.
She also made an appeal to ordinary Romanians. "Corruption can be beaten, don't give up!" she said.
