Romanian PM takes over as interim justice minister

(BUCHAREST) - Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta will assume on a temporary basis the job of justice minister, a key area monitored closely by the European Commission, the government said Wednesday.

Justice minister Mona Pivniceru resigned earlier in the day after being appointed as a judge at the constitutional court.

Ponta said he would propose a new anti-corruption prosecutor and prosecutor general, whose positions have for several months been filled on a temporary basis.

The European Commission in January urged Bucharest to appoint the prosecutors as soon as possible.

It also said much progress still needed to be made to end corruption and clean up the judiciary system.

Bucharest committed to strengthening the fight against corruption when it joined the European Union in 2007 and is being closely monitored by Brussels.