Justice Minister Rita Alarcan Giudice admits that there is a “certain discredit” to the public ministry and wants the next attorney general of the republic to start a “new era” and “restore order.”
In an interview with the program “Justica Cega” on Rádio Observador, the minister assures that the government has no doubts about the profile of the new prosecutor general, who will have to become a leader.
He does not comment on the work of the current prosecutor general of the republic, Lucilia Gago, who was nominated by António Costa and appointed by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, but says the government wants to start a “new era.”
Rita Alarcão Judice believes that there has been “a certain discredit and some noise” around the Ministry of State, defending the importance of its “capacity and authority” for the “proper functioning of justice.”
“And that’s why it’s very important to have someone who can restore that trust,” he insists.
He also says the next attorney general must also have a communications profile: “Modern times are no longer compatible with the idea that we can close ourselves in our offices and not communicate with citizens in their own offices,” he says.
The Governor is willing to make changes to the law that will make it clear that hierarchical power must be exercised: “There must be a hierarchy in the Department of State. This is not an organ that is out of control.”
“The prosecutor’s office has a raison d’être, and one of its characteristics is that it is a hierarchical judicial system. Let’s try to clarify this issue. If legislative changes are necessary, we are naturally ready for this,” he added.
As for the High Council of Prosecutors, it states that it must exercise its review powers by acting “if there is any suspicion that a particular investigation, a particular prosecutor, has gone beyond the exercise of its rights.”
Asked about the 50’s manifesto, which advocates the need for justice reform that restores the authority of democratic legitimacy over the public ministry, she responds that it “cannot be guided by political reasons and has internal organs to control its actions, and that they must be careful.”
“I don’t see anyone being concerned about the lack of internal controls. But this internal control must also exist. There is the Supreme Council of the Prosecutor’s Office, which must also act if there is any suspicion that a certain investigation, a certain prosecutor “We are all subject to control, and everyone – prosecutors, judges, lawyers, etc. – must comply with the standards applied,” he declares.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.