Romanian Corruption Fighter Denies Having Political Plan B

"I haven't had any contact with anyone (politicians) and I don't intend to leave the legal profession," the 46-year-old said.

"The only candidacy I am interested in is that of European chief public prosecutor."

Government attacks

A Romanian woman holds a portrait of Laura Codruta Kovesi in downtown Bucharest, Romania, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/ROBERT GHEMENT

Kovesi has the backing of the European Parliament's Civil Liberties and Budgetary Affairs committees, while the assembly's president, Antonio Tajani, voiced his support in May during a visit to Romania, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

The Romanian government is less keen, however; following her ouster, Kovesi was barred from leaving the country earlier this year after a newly-created agency tasked with investigating judges and prosecutors launched criminal proceedings against her. The Supreme Court later lifted the ban.

Romania's Social Democrat-led government has long been accused of trying to undermine the fight against endemic corruption in the EU member state.

On Monday, party leader Liviu Dragnea, widely considered Romania's most powerful politician, was jailed for abuse of power, a day after more than 80 per cent of voters, in a non-binding referendum, rejected the government's use of emergency decree to alter graft laws and the application of amnesties and pardons to officials convicted of corruption.

Dragnea had already been convicted of vote rigging in 2016, barring him from holding the post of prime minister.

The Social Democrats and its allies say Kovesi pursued political vendettas and media attention, and accused the anti-corruption agency of working illegally with the country's intelligence agency to ensnare...