Anatolije Barbakar
Barbacar was elected Jan. 21 at the annual convention of lawyers, garnering 852 votes out of 1,488. His rivals were four other candidates, including a challenger perceived to be close to the government. However, that candidate received the fewest votes on the ballot. But he recognized the results of the election and thanked all his colleagues.
On social media, some commentators noted that “the lawyers’ guild is the only one that remains independent” and that “the takeover of the Union of Lawyers failed.” For their part, opponents pointed out that the voting was based on a previously published and known list.
Logos Press has already written that there was a tense situation between lawyers and the authorities over the controversial law on advocacy. The Union of Lawyers strongly opposed the law, considering that it seriously undermines the independence of the profession, was adopted without consultation with the professional community and opens the door for political influence in the legal profession. The law, inter alia, provides for the inclusion of members appointed by the Ministry of Justice on the Bar’s main commissions – licensing, ethics and complaints commissions.
The new law on the Bar was passed, but the president did not promulgate it and returned it to parliament for revision. In other words, the story is not over, but on the contrary, it is just beginning under the new conditions.
Later, the decision to sharply increase the cost of the compulsory health insurance policy for representatives of the profession added fuel to the fire. “Such a sharp increase in the tax burden on the profession is illegal, contrary to common sense and creates the risk of mass abandonment of the profession of lawyer”, – said the former president of the Union of Lawyers, Dorin Popescu.
Priorities of the new chairman
The new chairman, Anatolie Barbacar, is 47 years old. He graduated from the Moldovan State University, where he also obtained a master’s degree in law. He is a member of the Union of Advocates and is a member of the Ethics and Discipline Commission. He has over 23 years of experience in the profession.
In his election program, he promised to implement best practices in the work of the Bar Association.
One of his key tasks is to amend and supplement the Code of Advocate’s Deontology, with a broad consultation of all members of the Union to develop the most transparent and fair rules possible.
Barbacar intends to maintain a constant dialog among fellow lawyers and ensure full transparency in decision-making in order to build trust in the Union both within the guild and among citizens. Adequate remuneration for lawyers is also a priority.
Barbakar relies on raising the prestige of the profession, active cooperation with state bodies – the Ministry of Justice, courts, prosecutor’s office, Ministry of Internal Affairs and others. As well as on supporting specialized associations within the Union, including the Association of Young Lawyers, the Association of Women Lawyers, the Association of Deans and Veterans.
In addition, the new Chairman sees the prospect of developing international contacts with bar associations abroad and continuing cooperation with donors.
According to the law, the president of the Bar Association is elected for a two-year term and can serve no more than two consecutive terms. Anatolie Barbacar succeeds Dorin Popescu.
The elected president briefly and respectfully thanked his colleagues for the choice made via social networks. Something suggests that his composure, dignity and the respect of his colleagues will be very useful to him in the difficult phase ahead.
