Reuters Ukrainian Presidential Press Service / Handout
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed a decree to dismiss the President of the Constitutional Court, Alexander Tobitsky, for a period of two months, against the background of the ongoing investigations with the President of the Court.
Zelensky said in a statement today, Tuesday, that he had signed the decree in order to “restore justice and resolve the constitutional crisis.”
The Commissioner of the President in the Constitutional Court stressed that this is not “the dismissal or termination of the powers of the judge, but rather a temporary measure.”
This comes after the Public Prosecution requested, on Monday, the head of the Constitutional Court to be dismissed temporarily against the background of investigations into bribing an eyewitness.
For its part, the President’s Office confirmed that the Constitutional Court is the only body entitled to dismiss its judges.
The battle between President Zelensky and the Constitutional Court has been going on since last October, as the court rejected anti-corruption legislation, making it difficult for the government to agree with the International Monetary Fund to continue the loan program.
Zelensky asked Parliament to dissolve the Constitutional Court, in contravention of the constitution. The chief judge accused him of a “coup” against the constitutional legitimacy.
In December, Parliament voted in favor of re-approving anti-corruption legislation again, which opens the way for continuing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund against the backdrop of the damage to the Ukrainian economy due to the Corona virus crisis.
Source: Reuters
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