Anatol Pahopol has quit this morning as acting chairman of the Superior Council of Magistracy, giving no exact reason except for “certain circumstances that appeared yesterday.”

Pahopol added that there have been a number of public statements last week that criticized his chairmanship, referring in particular to a complaint submitted by MP Dinu Plîngău, who challenged Pahopol’s appointment as CSM member and subsequently acting chairman.

As Pahopol left the CSM assembly room, his seat was taken by Judge Luiza Gafton. After brief deliberations in camera, the resignation was approved with 9 to 3 votes.

Anatol Pahopol, an alternate member of the Council, was appointed acting chairman in late May, after the governing coalition adopted amendments that made it possible. MP Dinu Plîngău, of the Dignity and Truth Platform, argued that the amendments were unconstitutional and that they aimed to institute political control over the judiciary through the CSM.