Dumitru Visternicean was elected president of the Supreme Council of Magistrates by 8 votes to 12 on Thursday, December 10. The second candidate Nicolae Timofti won four votes, Info-Prim Neo reports. ”The legal system must develop normally. The election was democratic. Dimitru Visternicean is an experienced judge of the Supreme Court of Justice with a good reputation. This is a good start for initiating that reform in the legal system that we need and that the society expects,” said Minister of Justice Alexandru Tanase. ”As President of the Council, I will assume overall responsibility and will try to live up to your expectations. I will do my best to solve all the problems faced by the judiciary,” Dumitru Visternicean said. Under the Law on the Supreme Council of Magistrates, the Council consists of 12 members: five judges, four titular members, and three ex officio members – the president of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General. The president of the Supreme Council of Magistrates is elected by secret vote for a four-year period, by a majority of votes. The president of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General cannot apply for this post.