Top-level Scandal

Attacked so many times by his political opponents, President Traian Basescu has just received the worst blow from his own brother, arrested for influence peddling. Still, the head of state says he will not resign, as the left-wing power wants him to.

Ştefan Stoica, 24.06.2014, 12:30

In ten years as head of state, Romania’s President Traian Basescu has often found himself in rather difficult positions, including two impeachment attempts. This time around, the heavy blow comes from his own brother, who was arrested and is probed into for influence peddling.

Anti-corruption prosecutors accuse Mircea Basescu of receiving 250 thousand euros in exchange for his promise to have a favourable court ruling passed in a trial in which a well-known crime group ringleader was sentenced for attempted manslaughter. The President has categorically denied any involvement in the case, and a proof in this respect is the prison sentence passed in that case. Traian Basescu has also dismissed the idea that he is to pay for the mistakes of his brother.

The reaction has come after the Senate Speaker suggested that Parliament should endorse a statement demanding Basescu’s resignation. Traian Basescu seems determined to see through his term in office and, according to his statements, his mission to strengthen the Romanian judiciary. The alternative, the President warns, would be a scenario in which his arch-enemy, tycoon Dan Voiculescu, already subject to several court trials, nominates a puppet-president to appoint the prosecutors and judges whom he would find convenient.

Cornered, but not defeated, Traian Basescu strikes back, questioning the credibility and moral authority of the MPs who have repeatedly denied the requests of the Anti-Corruption Directorate concerning investigations into Parliament members. On the other hand, the President claims to have had no intelligence on the shady connections between his brother and the respective criminal. This is a surprising statement, given the once excellent relationships the President had with the intelligence services.

Less than 6 months ahead of the presidential election, the Romanian political arena is shattered by a scandal that weakens the President’s position and threatens to exclude him from the current negotiations aimed at unifying the right wing and finding a solution to offset the power of the left wing.