RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Controversial decisions of Romanian MPs

Romanian MPs have recently endorsed a controversial bill that decriminalizes the conflict of interests.

Controversial decisions of Romanian MPs
Controversial decisions of Romanian MPs

, 23.06.2016, 13:36

The Bucharest Parliament ended its plenary session with the endorsement of a highly questionable decision. Romanians have got used to seeing the politicians to whom they once gave their votes abusing their public positions and granting themselves privileges that caused public outrage. Parliament members have gone so far as to pass laws that would protect them from answering to justice in case of criminal investigations. Such an outrageous decision was taken on Wednesday.



Given the nearing parliamentary elections this autumn, Romanian MPs have taken some precautionary measures in case they would no longer win a seat in the future legislative body, in which case they would also lose their immunity. So they endorsed, with 306 votes in favor and one abstention a bill according to which MPs who had hired their relatives at their parliamentary cabinets before August 21, 2013, can no longer be accused of conflict of interests.



“I regret this vote that decriminalizes conflict of interests for MPs”, Justice Minister Raluca Pruna wrote on her Facebook page. “I have been recently dared to say what I understand through ‘restoration’. Exactly that. Better said, to paraphrase, I understand parliamentary tyranny,” Minister Pruna also said. According to the Justice Minister, the bill recently endorsed by MPs was not discussed in any way before its adoption by Parliament, and the Government’s representative was not invited to speak.



Law experts say that by decriminalizing conflict of interests, the MPs have created themselves a legal way of getting off unpunished. Moreover, they can freely hire their relatives in the future too. The National Integrity Agency has made some clarifications in this respect. On the one hand, it has warned that Wednesday’s decision violates some of the Criminal Code regulations, which has been punishing conflict of interests ever since 2003.



On the other hand, the vote of the MPs does not have any influence on the cases of conflict of interests that are currently under investigation, with Courts due to give a ruling in 29 such cases. Moreover, between 2011 and 2015 the National Integrity Agency identified 56 cases of conflict of interests among the MPs, 26 of which were identified as crimes. In most cases, the Court ruled in favor of the National Integrity Agency. In 2015 alone 10 MPs received a suspended prison sentence or a fine, for conflict of interests.



Another highly controversial law which is against all principles of a state of law is the one according to which mayors and local county councilors indicted for corruption deeds, and who received suspended prison sentences, can further be maintained in their public position, says President Klaus Iohannis. For this reason he challenged the law at the Constitutional Court, on grounds of hindering the fight against corruption.


(Translated by Elena Enache)



Signing of the protocol (foto:
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

Transition program towards F-35, launched

The Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft has been launched.   Romania’s decision to acquire advanced fighter...

Transition program towards F-35, launched
Energy (foto: EdWhiteImages / pixabay.com)
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

The National Energy Strategy, adopted

Using local resources, reducing imports and making massive investments in production capacity are important elements of the new National Energy...

The National Energy Strategy, adopted
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
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
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

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