RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

A New Intelligence Chief

With its achievements and shortcomings, the Romanian Intelligence Service plays a key role for the countrys security.

A New Intelligence Chief
A New Intelligence Chief

, 03.03.2015, 13:33

Parliament on Monday green-lighted the appointment of Liberal MEP Eduard Hellvig as the new head of the Romanian Intelligence Service. 498 MPs voted in favour of Hellvig, who was nominated by president Klaus Iohannis, while only 15 MPs voted against.



According to political pundits, the result of the vote, which could not be conceived when Hellvig was originally nominated, can underlie an agreement between the Power and the Opposition, under which the Social-Democratic Party in the ruling coalition is due to appoint the new head of the Foreign Intelligence Service. Whether or not that is a compromise, the appointment has piled up pressure on Hellvig, whom some politicians, such as Senate President Calin Popescu Tariceanu, have criticized for his lack of experience in the field and thus inapt to cope with the difficulties and responsibility that come with the job.



Attending Parliament’s vote, Hellvig presented the priorities of his term in office, among which combating corruption, developing the country’s defense capabilities and strengthening partnerships with European and NATO allies, especially with the United States. Against the growing public discontent, mostly linked with Parliament exerting too much influence over the Intelligence Service, Hellvig called for dialogue and transparency, two aspects he sees as deficient ever since the institution was founded in 1990. Eduard Hellvig:



I assure you of my full willingness to cooperate with and promote a dialogue between institutions, political parties and civil society, as transparent and effective as possible”.



Many MPs spoke highly of Hellvig’s credentials. Here is the leader of the Social-Democrat Senators Ilie Sarbu:



He is an unbiased and even-minded man and I believe the Intelligence Service requires more thoughtfulness and less spur-of-the-moment decisions. Such qualities are due to greatly benefit the Service”.



Liberal MP Cristina Pocora.



Eduard Hellvig has all the qualities recommending him as a civilian chief at the helm of the Intelligence Service. He has the training and the necessary human profile to run such an institution”.



Taking the floor next was Verestoy Attila of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania:



He is a civilian, from all points of view, and indeed he will be well-received by our partners in the European and Euro-Atlantic community”.


It remains to be seen whether Hellvig’s activity will rise up to the praises voiced in Parliament on Monday.

Maia Sandu (Photo: presedinte.md)
Today in the News Monday, 04 November 2024

Moldova stays on path to Europe

Moldova’s pro-European president Maia Sandu won a new  4-year term in Sunday’s second round run-off, with over 55% of the votes cast in the...

Moldova stays on path to Europe
The head of the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP), Toni Grebla
Today in the News Monday, 04 November 2024

Election campaigns in Romania

    The campaign for the general election in Romania started last week, at midnight on Thursday, and will end on 30 November. During this...

Election campaigns in Romania
November 1 - National Radio Day
Today in the News Friday, 01 November 2024

Radio Romania 96

Radio Romania has celebrated 96 years since it first entered the listeners houses from Romania and abroad. On November 1 1928 the Romanians were able...

Radio Romania 96
(Photo: pixabay@Engin_Akyurt)
Today in the News Thursday, 31 October 2024

Romanians’ concerns

Romanians and Austrians are the most satisfied with their lives among the inhabitants of Central and Eastern Europe, but the former are significantly...

Romanians’ concerns
Today in the News Thursday, 31 October 2024

Republic of Moldova, crucial final

On November 3, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova have to choose, for the position of head of state, between the pro-European Maia Sandu, the...

Republic of Moldova, crucial final
Today in the News Wednesday, 30 October 2024

Drones, a security issue

The Romanian Ministry of National Defense has placed under decisional transparency a bill that improves airspace security measures. The bill, which...

Drones, a security issue
Today in the News Wednesday, 30 October 2024

The Fugitive Law is constitutional

The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) has rejected the referral of the High Court of Cassation and Justice (ICCJ) in relation to the so-called...

The Fugitive Law is constitutional
Today in the News Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Challenges of an ageing population

Romanians are getting fewer and older.   The population of Romania in mid-2024 was 21,779,000, down 1% compared to June 1, 2023. According to...

Challenges of an ageing population

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company