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.

European Commission (photo: © European Union - Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photographer: Christophe Licoppe)
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

Political agreement on the new European Commission

    The leaders of the three major political groups in the European Parliament have given the green light to the members of the next...

Political agreement on the new European Commission
Photo: aep.ro
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

13 for Romania

    In Romania, presidential elections usually spark the greatest interest and emotions. Even more so this year, when the two rounds of the...

13 for Romania
Gas consumption in the EU (Credits: magnascan-pixabay-com)
Today in the News Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading

On Tuesday, the Romanian company Romgaz launched its first issue of bonds on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, worth 500 million EUR. Romgaz is the...

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading
Photo: roaep.ro
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania ahead of the presidential election

Next month, President Klaus Iohannis will end his second and last five-year term in office according to the Romanian Constitution. The so-called...

Romania ahead of the presidential election
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels

NATO welcomes Romania’s continuous efforts and its significant contribution to strengthening the Alliance and Euro-Atlantic security, NATO...

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels
Today in the News Monday, 18 November 2024

Downward forecast from the European Commission

Romania’s economic growth estimate has been recalculated by the European Commission (EC), at a value well below the initially established...

Downward forecast from the European Commission
Today in the News Monday, 18 November 2024

35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall

The fall of the Berlin Wall, 35 years ago, represented for Romanians an encouragement in their fight for freedom, and the removal of the Iron Curtain...

35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall
Today in the News Friday, 15 November 2024

European minimum wage in Romania

The law on the introduction of the European minimum wage in Romania was promulgated by President Klaus Iohannis. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has...

European minimum wage in Romania

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