The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, This Thursday, April 16, he denied any personal or political link with the Ombudsman, Ángela Russoas well as with the Accounts Prosecutor and candidate for Electoral Court magistrate, Jaime Barroso, after public questions about alleged closeness with the Executive Body.
During a press conference held in the City of Arts, Mulino reacted to allegations that officials would respond to lines from the Executive or be favored figures within the process of selecting judges of the Electoral Court.
In the case of Russo, the president rejected any type of personal or political relationship.
”I have known her since I was an intern, when she was in court. “She’s not my friend, she’s not my party partner, or anything like that.”, stated the president, insisting that there is no close link with the person who was just sworn in on April 13.
Regarding Jaime Barroso, Mulino also denied that there is a personal relationship and clarified that it is not “your Accounting Attorney”but a State official.
“I have nothing to do with Mr. Barroso”maintained while emphasizing that the process of selecting magistrates of the Electoral Tribunal corresponds exclusively to the National Assembly.
The president also referred to versions that point to Barroso as the “anointed one” within the interview process for the position, a statement that the candidate himself has publicly denied, although he has acknowledged having support within the Legislature.
Mulino insisted that the decisions on these appointments are part of the sovereignty of the legislative plenary session and stated that his role as president is limited to maintaining institutional relations with the officials who are elected, regardless of their political affinities.
“I simply have to get along with as many officials as possible who want to work well for the country.”he concluded.
