Versión Español
EspañolThe Congress of Argentina will weigh in this Tuesday, October 18 on a proposal to reform how public prosecutions are organized.
The reform could potentially limit the Attorney General’s mandate — in this case, Kircnher-aligned Gils Carbo — and restore short-term prosecutors that had been eliminated in 2012.
The project to be passed through the House of Representatives envisions a five-year term for the head of the Inspection General renewable for five more. Under current law, the office is a lifetime position.
Carbo — who is the only Kirchnerist senior official left — took office in August 2012. With the reform’s approval, his office would come to an end August 2017.
President Macri asked on several occasions that Gils Carbo resign, but Carbo has decided to remain in office. The Prosecutor has been criticized for her overt political affiliation while managing the institution in clear favor of Kirchner interests.
The reform would refer all coordinators, district attorneys, specialized prosecution units, special prosecutors to the newly created Bicameral Commission for Monitoring and Control for review and approval.
The designations in the 11 Directorates of Public Prosecutions will also be under the control of the Bicameral Commission.
Opposition Deputy of the Renewal Front Graciela Camaño will be in charge of the Bicameral Commission. It will have the power to approve new district prosecutors and special prosecutors, according to the newspaper Clarín.
Removal of the attorney will be by simple majority of the Chamber of Deputies, with two-thirds vote by the Senate. One of the causes to be removed will be conducting “partisan activities”.
The reform also includes the creation of the General Council of Public Prosecutions, who will advise the Inspector General. It will propose to the general district attorneys and holders of special prosecutors offices, convene public tenders and approve background, arrange the transfer of taxes prior to approval of the bicameral commission and promote the prosecution of all prosecutors, except the Inspector General.
Both the attorney general and prosecutors on the Council shall be elected by public ballot and will have a term of two years.
The initiative provides for the creation of the district attorney general, who will be responsible for setting crime policy.
