TI Moldova suggests CCCEC director should be proposed by Premier and named by President

Transparency International Moldova considers that the head of the Center for Combating Corruption and Economic Crime (CCCEC) should be named by the President at the Prime Minister’s suggestion. The NGO does not agree with the Center’s placement under parliamentary control as this won’t contribute to ensuring the institution’s independence, according to it, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The placement of the CCCEC under parliamentary control will create conditions for the Center to be under the direct control and pressure of the politicians, especially of those who hold a majority of seats in Parliament. This will limit the independence of the Center,” Transparency International Moldova executive director Lilia Carashchuc said in a news conference on Monday. The strategy for reforming the CCCEC, drafted by specialists of the institution and international experts, says the institutions’ head is appointed by Parliament at the suggestion of the head of state. “We believe the given norms of the draft strategy run counter to the provisions of the Constitution,” said Lilia Carashchuc. According to Transparency International Moldova, the CCCEC should focus on the combating of corruption at high level. Lilia Carashchuc stated that the number of the Center’s employees should be reduced, while the salaries trebled. At the same time, the institution’s budget should remain unchanged for at least two years. Vitalie Verebceanu, division head at the CCCEC, told the same news conference that the proposals submitted by TI Moldova will be examined, but he personally does not agree with some of them. He stressed that the strategy for reforming the CCCEC was worked out in accordance with the recommendations of foreign experts. The CCCEC is a law enforcement body dealing with the combating of economic crimes and corruption. It is now managed by the Government. Debates on the draft strategy for reforming the CCCEC started on September 26. The strategy was devised in the context of implementing the Government’s plan of action for 2011-2014 and the plan of action for liberalizing the visa regime.