Dumitru Visterniceanu resigned on Friday, March 4, from the post of chairman of the Supreme Magistracy Council (SMC), Info-Prim Neo learned from Ecaterina Buzu, the head of the SMC's Office. Ecaterina Buzu said the resignation was tendered on Visterniceanu's own initiative, but no reasons were revealed. Nicolae Timofti, another SMC member, has been elected chairman in place of Dumitru Vistreniceanu. Dumitru Visterniceanu was elected as SMC chairman on 10 December 2009 for a 4-year term.