Dumitru Pulbere: I expected such a decision, they want a person whom to manipulate

“I expected such a decision. The aim was to replace me with a person who can be manipulated,” Dumitru Pulbere said after the constitutional judges Wednesday voted in favor of dismissing him from the post of Constitutional Court chairman. Dumitru Pulbere said that if he had been dismissed because of the political statements he made, all the judges of the Constitutional Court would have to be discharged, Info-Prim Neo reports. “I understood that if a person, in the given case me, tries to say what’s right and in accordance with the Constitution, he/she is punished. I’m not naïve not to realize that they decided everything overnight and deprived me of my position. But it’s all right. I will continue to work as a judge,” Dumitru Pulbere told the journalists. He also said that not the post of chairman, but the preeminence of the Constitution is important for him. “The public opinion, civil society and politicians must understand that it is not enough to speak about principles and values and do nothing to overcome the political crisis,” he stressed. Dumitru Pulbere stated that his dismissal is connected with the decision of September 20 (when the Constitutional Court said the Parliament cannot institute another majority to elect the head of state by an organic law – e.n.). “Some of the politicians did not expect such a decision and told me this,” he said. The former chairman is determined to riposte if somebody tries to dismiss him from the post of Constitutional Court judge as well. “The Constitution says the judge is irremovable and I want to see how somebody can do it,” Dumitru Pulbere said, referring to the Liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu’s intention to raise the issue of discharging him from the post of judge. Dumitru Pulbere said he prepared an application to the Constitutional Court, where he revealed how a constitutional judge was being corrupted, but refused to give details. Four judges voted for the dismissal of the Constitutional Court chairman and only one voted against. “I’m grateful to all the five judges,” said Dumitru Pulbere. Dumitru Pulbere, who was named Constitutional Court chairman in 2007, was dismissed following an application filed by judge Victor Puscas. Valeria Sterbet will now hold the post on an interim basis.