This is the first time that the Board of Justice has held a competition for the post of Prosecutor General, in line with the amendments to the Public Prosecutor's Office Law adopted this year.
Bordāns said that 8 candidates applying for the position prove that this scheme of selection of higher officials in Latvia is possible.
"Firstly, it gives an opportunity to apply without going through corporate institutions or a nomination by one higher official. The criteria for selection will now be stricter and more serious," said Bordāns.
"The selection will be open. It will not take place only in Saeima, the Justice Council will also have a say."
He acknowledged that he sees several potential prosecutors, but has no favorites. Jānis Bordāns said he was pleased to be able to interview candidates, familiarize himself with their visions, hear questions from the Justice Council and the candidates' answers.
CONTEXT:
In the past, the President of the Supreme Court directed candidates for approval in the Saeima, for which candidates could be advised by the General Prosecutor's Council, the Supreme Court, as well as the professional associations of judges or prosecutors.
Now, which of the 8 candidates for the post of attorney general will be directed to the Saeima for approval will be decided by 15 members of the Justice Council, including the Justice Minister.
Eight candidates entered the competition. Six of them are officials belonging to the judicial system: five prosecutors and one judge. The remaining two are former prosecutors: Gunārs Kūtris, who has also been President of the Constitutional Court and Saeima deputy, and a sworn lawyer, Aldis Pundurs.
