Romanian President Klaus Iohannis signed on Monday a decree to revoke Laura Codruta Kovesi from the position of chief anti-corruption prosecutor after the Constitutional Court made the recommendation a month ago.

"The rulings of the Constitutional Court must all be respected, in a country governed by the rule of law," the president announced his decision through his spokesperson Madalina Dobrovolschi.

According to the spokesperson, the president underscores that the fight against corruption must under no circumstances be abandoned or slowed down.

"Regardless of the name of the chief prosecutor of the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA), this body will have to continue its work professionally at the highest level of performance," underscored the spokesperson in the name of the head of state.

The Constitutional Court ruled on May 30 that the president must dismiss the DNA chief, as his refusal to meet the government's demands to revoke Kovesi has created a constitutional and institutional conflict.

Romania's ruling coalition announced last Thursday that they will decide this week whether to impeach President Klaus Iohannis for his refusal to comply with the top court decision.

Kovesi and the DNA led by her have been accused of abuses in some corruption cases. Yet, the chief prosecutor called all these attacks attempt to discredit the justice system, as her institution has sent to court over 68 top-level officials in last five years.

In late February, Justice Minister Tudorel Toader called for the dismissal of Kovesi, accusing her of "excess of authority, discretionary behavior, defying the Parliament, challenging the Constitutional Court's decisions and authority."

The minister invoked 20 "intolerable acts and facts" related to the activity of the DNA chief, based on the top court's decisions on the conflicts between the DNA and the parliament and government. He also accused Kovesi of damaging Romania's image abroad in interviews with local and international media.

"For these acts and facts that are intolerable in a rule of law, I start the procedure to revoke the DNA Chief Prosecutor," stressed the minister.

The president has repeatedly said he was satisfied with the activity of DNA and its leadership and rejected the request from the justice minister to sack the DNA chief in middle April.

In response to the president's decision, the government decided to take the issue to the top court.

Laura Codruta Kovesi, 45, was appointed DNA chief prosecutor in 2013. Prior to this, she was the Prosecutor General of Romania, attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice.

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