NGOs discussing new candidate for Integrity Commission

A number of NGOs is discussing a new candidate to represent civil society in the National Integrity Commission (CNI) after Cristina Cojocaru withdrew from the post, Info-Prim Neo learned from Sergiu Ostaf, chair of the National Participatory Council. Sergiu Ostaf said the Council is waiting for the Parliament's Legal Commission to formally announce the contest for filling the vacant CNI seat. “When this announcement is made, NGOs will start to name their candidates. This time, I think there will be more candidates than before and the situation will be a little more difficult; there won't be that plenary support that the common candidate enjoyed last time”, said Sergiu Ostaf, noting that over 50 NGOs threw their support behind Cristina Cojocaru. Cristina Cojocaru resigned from the CNI after questioning its functionality and the political neutrality of its members. Earlier, speaking on behalf a number of NGOs, Sergiu Ostaf told a news conference that the appointment of Anatolie Donciu as CNI head after his nomination by the Liberal Party fundamentally undermined the Commission's independence and functionality.