Document #2092910

Freedom House (Author)

Nations in Transit 2023 - Romania

SEMI-CONSOLIDATED DEMOCRACY
56
/ 100
Democracy Percentage 55.95 / 100
Democracy Score 4.36 / 7
LAST YEAR'S DEMOCRACY PERCENTAGE & STATUS
56 / 100 Semi-Consolidated Democracy
The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 1 the lowest. The Democracy Score is an average of ratings for the categories tracked in a given year. The Democracy Percentage, introduced in 2020, is a translation of the Democracy Score to the 0-100 scale, where 0 equals least democratic and 100 equals most democratic. See the methodology.
 

Author

Claudia Badulescu

Score changes in 2023

  • No score changes in 2023.

Executive Summary

In Romania, the grand coalition of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Social Democratic Party (PSD), and Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) has governed since November 25, 2021, and was meant to bring stability to the country’s political scene after prolonged turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising energy costs. However, the government barely managed to survive in 2022, as its first 11 months saw the resignations of key ministers, including in Agriculture, Defense, Education, and Investment and European Funds. These departures were symptomatic of Romania’s main challenges during the year: the impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine, allegations of academic plagiarism, controversial legislative changes, and political appointments in the civil service that flouted recruitment competitions. The very mandate of Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă (PNL) was at risk over allegations of plagiarism related to his 2003 PhD thesis. Ciucă denied the allegations, but he manipulated the state investigation by involving representatives of judicial and academic institutions. He even supported a package of controversial amendments to education laws, which were criticized as providing amnesty to plagiarists.1

Despite the turmoil, Romania took a clear and solid stance condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and attempted to provide as much financial and humanitarian relief as possible. Meanwhile, decision-makers resorted to a “war diplomacy” to safeguard the country’s own security and to provide assistance to the Ukrainian people.2 The impacts of the war quickly affected Romania’s economy, which experienced its highest inflation rates since September 2003. In December 2022, Romanians were dejected to learn that the country’s quest to join the Schengen area was again denied by the European Council. This decision took the country by surprise, given that its accession to Schengen had been widely supported by most European Union (EU) member states, the European Commission, and European Parliament.3 Furthermore, in November, the commission had sent an encouraging signal by closing the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) in recognition of Romania’s progress in judicial reforms and fight against corruption. Still, on January 25, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) invited Romania to join the organization, which points to future prospects for development.

Electoral processes in the country are still greatly influenced by state resources. Huge imbalances in the distribution of state subsidies favor the major political parties, and there is little transparency in how parties spend these public moneys on advertising and propaganda during and outside of electoral campaigns. For instance, PNL and PSD have benefitted from large state subsidies in recent years, allowing them to buy positive news and silence some media channels, giving them competitive advantages over smaller parties that receive less or no state subsidies. Future elections will also be influenced by two laws adopted in November that prohibit persons convicted of intentional crimes from running for public office. This represents a breakthrough in the fight against corruption and crime among political elites.

The civic sector was active in 2022, albeit mostly online. Civil actors spoke out against controversial legislative initiatives proposed to the rule of law, respect for human rights, and civil liberties. Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) also put pressure on members of the government over allegations of plagiarism, corruption, and conflicts of interest. While their activism was not always successful, a general message was delivered to the public that Romanian civil society is keeping a close eye on how political elites run the country, both onstage and behind the curtain.

Media independence in Romania has been severely curtailed over recent years by the huge sums paid for press and propaganda by the country’s largest political parties. Whether online or on TV, news agencies have failed to inform audiences of editorial content and airtime bought by parties, thereby covertly manipulating public opinion in favor of certain political actors. The European Commission expressed concerns over Romania’s freedom of expression, highlighting the rising number of threats, harassment, and physical violence against journalists.4 In March, the Bucharest-based think tank Expert Forum raised fears over attacks on freedom of expression and censorship of information, denouncing an IT platform dedicated to identifying fake news as a “Ministry of Truth.”5 Despite these developments, the near-unanimous support of Ukraine and increased vigilance towards detecting Russian propaganda have helped counter Russia’s disinformation about the war and minimize its effects on public sentiment in Romania.6

Throughout 2022, there was minimal progress on improving local democratic governance. The decentralization process stalled, and allocations from the national Anghel Saligny Program7 infrastructure investment fund fell along lines of local party power. Politically motivated hiring in the civil service, particularly at local and municipal levels, continued as well; this alarming practice allows Romania’s most powerful parties to impose their protégés without much resistance or risk, overriding official recruitment procedures. Such developments reveal how political interests and power games take precedence over the interests and needs of Romania’s local communities.

Despite the lifting of the COVID-19 state of alert in March, concerns persisted over the regular use of emergency ordinances and limited public consultations before adopting legislative changes.8 The country’s judicial framework and independence appeared to deteriorate in 2022 after the much-anticipated abolishment of the special Section for the Investigation of Offenses in the Judiciary (SIIJ) in March. The Venice Commission criticized this rushed implementation since the new law undermines criminal investigations of judges and prosecutors and weakens the fight against corruption and organized crime. The adoption of new security laws has been postponed indefinitely due to strong opposition from civil society organizations, who fear that the new laws would significantly increase the powers of intelligence services and oblige citizens and companies to act as whistleblowers, reminiscent of the secret police installed by the former communist regime.

On December 19, a new law on the protection of whistleblowers entered into force, missing the commitment to transpose the relevant EU Directive by a year. The delay was caused by a series of problematic changes that put at risk the protection for whistleblowers.9 Although these issues were addressed in the final version of the bill,10 some NGOs argue that the new regulations discourage investigation of complaints.11 While the new whistleblower law is a positive development, a series of controversial laws adopted on December 16 were viewed as undermining the justice system and favoring politicians and their companies.12

Despite several high-profile prosecutions, corruption remains widespread and deeply entrenched at all levels of Romanian society, including at the highest levels of political and administrative institutions. In one notable case, an investigation by the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), initiated in 2019, revealed that bribe taking by the local PSD in the western county of Arad had increased revenues at the customs office by an astonishing 3,200 percent compared to the previous year. This illustrates how Romania is gripped by strong informal networks linking highly influential people from the country’s major political parties—namely, the PSD and PNL—with companies that exploit state resources, whether legally or illegally.

At-A-Glance

Romania’s national governance is democratic but often prioritizes party interests and backroom political games over the interests and needs of citizens. The fairness of future elections is at risk due to the exorbitant investment by the nation’s largest political parties in advertising and propaganda. While civil society is active and reacts promptly to controversial legislative changes or abuses of power, its influence to prevent democratic backsliding is limited. Media independence is threatened by political interference and control, with large shares of state subsidies paid for positive news on party actions. Local governance is democratic but lacks decentralization and faces significant interference from political elites at the central level. Judicial independence is under continual pressure from political interference either through legislative changes or political appointments, meant to give certain parties control over key judicial bodies. Still, the fight against corruption is actively pursued, with endless cases of corruption, clientelism, and conflicts of interest exposed across all levels of society.

 
National Democratic Governance 1.00-7.00 pts
Considers the democratic character of the governmental system; and the independence, effectiveness, and accountability of the legislative and executive branches. 4.25 / 7.00
  • Since November 25, 2021, Romania has been governed by the National Coalition for Romania, which includes the National Liberal Party (PNL), Social Democratic Party (PSD), and Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR).13 This grand coalition was established after the preceding two months of political turmoil and government instability, and enjoys the overwhelming backing of more than 70 percent of legislators.14
  • The first year of coalition governance, however, was turbulent. In 2022, five ministers resigned over integrity issues, internal party games, or controversial statements about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The first resignation was the Minister of Research and Digitization on December 15 following suspicions of plagiarism related to his master’s thesis and false declarations on his CV.15 Next, the Minister of Investment and European Funds resigned on April 6 citing lack of trust in his party.16 On June 23, the Minister of Agriculture resigned amid accusations by the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) of abuse of office in recruiting ministry posts, which he denied.17 The Minister of Education resigned on September 29 following a plagiarism scandal in the delivery of his university courses.18 Lastly, on October 24, the Minister of National Defense was pressed to resign after making a series of controversial declarations concerning Russia-Ukraine peace prospects.19
  • The very mandate of Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă has been questioned since January 18, when a journalistic investigation revealed that at least 42 of the 138 pages of his 2003 PhD thesis were plagiarized.20 Ciucă denied any wrongdoing,21 but he mobilized a network of support from judicial and academic institutions22 to manipulate the state’s investigation into the issue.23 As a result, on June 23, the Bucharest Court of Appeal annulled all complaints about Ciucă’s plagiarism.24 25
  • Moreover, on July 13, former education minister Sorin Cîmpeanu initiated a legislative package amending education laws in order to allow doctoral students to renounce their degrees without explanation or repercussions.26 The draft law has been characterized by the media and the National Association of Student Organizations in Romania as a means to provide amnesty for plagiarists since the law only prescribes civil or administrative liability for plagiarism within three years of the offense.27
  • In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Romania took a solid stance in favor of its neighbor, aligning itself with sanctions against Russia taken at the European level.28 As an EU and NATO member state with the longest border with Ukraine, Romania welcomed Ukrainian refugees,29 sent financial and humanitarian aid,30 and condemned and sanctioned Russia’s military incursions on Ukrainian territory.31 Romania also welcomed the deployment of additional NATO combat units on its territory32 as early as February 1733 and pursued plans to renew and reinforce its military capabilities.34 The Romanian government strongly endorsed Ukraine’s and Moldova’s accession to the EU35 and helped Moldova in its quest to overcome the gas and electricity crisis,36 as well as the refugee crisis37 triggered by the war.
  • On March 18, the government adopted a law38 capping energy prices and offsetting the consequences of soaring energy bills through a compensation scheme for households and small businesses, in place until March 2023. While the scheme was expected to cost some €3 billion in February 2022, analysts estimated that it would exceed €10 billion39 by October and warned other states about the pitfalls40 of such initiatives.41 Given this context, the leadership of the Romanian Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) was constantly criticized by civil society, the opposition, and members of the governing coalition for its delayed reaction to the crisis, as well as for hiring politically connected yet unqualified staff.42
  • Romania’s quest to join the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)43 and the Schengen area dominated its political scene in 2022, indicating strong public support for deeper integration with the other developed economies of the EU. While OECD membership discussions are only starting,44 joining the Schengen area has been on the government agenda since Romania’s accession to the EU in 2007. Notwithstanding Romania’s positive developments in line with accession requirements, the European Council, on December 6, once again denied the country’s entry to the Schengen area, causing great surprise and disappointment.45 Austria, in particular, objected46 to Romania’s entry on grounds that the EU’s migration policy should first be reformed to take a stronger stance against illegal migration into the EU.47
Electoral Process 1.00-7.00 pts
Examines national executive and legislative elections, the electoral framework, the functioning of multiparty systems, and popular participation in the political process. 4.75 / 7.00
  • No elections were held in Romania in 2022. The next presidential, local, parliamentary, and European Parliament elections are expected to be held in 2024.
  • A June 23 report published by the Bucharest-based think tank Expert Forum shows how state subsidies favor the largest parties in power and utilize unclear allocation criteria.48 Political parties vote annually on the State Budget Law, which establishes the yearly subsidies for parties. In recent years, the total annual subsidies received by parties have been around €50 million, with the largest share going to parties with the most MPs and local elected representatives.49 According to the latest figures by the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP), state subsidies transferred to political parties in October totaled over €4.5 million: PSD and PNL received the largest shares, or €1.75 million and €1.48 million, respectively, while the remaining €1.27 million was distributed to USR, AUR, PMP, and Pro Romania.50 Such enormous subsidies have given the largest political parties a competitive advantage51 and undermine a level playing field.52
  • Major Romanian parties, including PSD, PNL, Pro Romania, and the People’s Movement Party (PMP), received one of the largest per capita public allocations in the EU but were found to have poor transparency and integrity.53 From January 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022, PSD spent an astounding sum of over €12.3 million on party promotions with zero transparency on how the money was spent.54
  • Addressing concerns raised by a series of journalistic investigations into parties’ misuse of state subsidies for political propaganda and press manipulation, the AEP submitted to the Secretary General of the Government a draft law on December 29 to amend and supplement Law No. 334/2006 on the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns. The proposal would limit party spending on press and propaganda to no more than 30 percent of their state subsidies.55
  • On November 4, President Klaus Iohannis promulgated two laws prohibiting persons convicted of intentional crimes from running for and being elected to public office, unless there has been rehabilitation, post-conviction amnesty, or decriminalization.56 The decision applies to the offices of senator, deputy, mayor, county council president, county councilor, and local councilor.57 Such a change to electoral laws is a major breakthrough in combating corruption at the highest level of governance and preventing criminal offenders from occupying public office, including convicted child abusers, which was not the case until now.58 More legislative changes were expected to be adopted by the end of the year on a gender quota for candidates to the Chamber of Deputies and Senate (lower and upper houses of Parliament) and the number of representatives allotted to the Romanian diaspora in Parliament, but these have yet to materialize.59
Civil Society 1.00-7.00 pts
Assesses the organizational capacity and financial sustainability of the civic sector; the legal and political environment in which it operates; the functioning of trade unions; interest group participation in the policy process; and the threat posed by antidemocratic extremist groups. 5.50 / 7.00
  • On April 29, Romanian human rights groups condemned a bill approved by the Senate banning so-called gay propaganda in schools, which would legitimize discrimination against the LGBT+ community, similar to such measures in Hungary and Russia.60 The groups called on the lower house of Parliament to reject the bill, which bans the use of materials that some critics claim promote homosexuality and gender reassignment in schools.61
  • Civil society organizations (CSOs), including Corruption Kills and Civic Resistance Galati, organized a protest on June 11 against censorship and security laws under the banner Libertate! Nu cenzura si Securitate! (“Freedom! Not Censorship and Security!”). This protest reinforced an online petition launched by the Declic social movement and NGO on June 8, requesting that PM Ciucă and parliamentary leaders Marcel Ciolacu and Florin Cîțu stop the “toxic changes in national security projects.”62 The NGOs complained that the security laws grant new powers and immunity to members of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) and the Romanian Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE).63 Among the controversial changes, they highlighted that the new laws would violate civil liberties in a manner similar to the former communist regime’s Securitate (Department of State Security), by obliging citizens and companies to confidentially cooperate with the SRI on request.64
  • The CSO VeDem Just (Voices for Democracy and Justice Association) called for the resignation of Education Minister Sorin Cîmpeanu on September 26 for plagiarism allegations.65 Such pressure contributed to his resignation, showing that civil society can play an important role in Romanian governance.
  • A report66 on anti-Semitism showed an increase in hate speech in online and offline Romanian public space between May 2021 and April 2022. This was due mostly to conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 and vaccination campaigns, as well as the public’s awareness of the history of the Holocaust and rising cases of anti-Semitism.67 The report also noted the anti-Semitic rhetoric of the far-right AUR party, which included praising former legionaries, war criminals, and known extremists, and minimizing the gravity of the Holocaust.68

The war in Ukraine precipitated the arrival of over 3 million Ukrainian refugees in Romania.69 Given the government’s slow response to aid refugees, NGOs, religious entities, businesses, and various individuals came together at the borders to provide food, blankets, clothes, mobile phones, medicine, and even accommodations and medical support. The Romanian Orthodox Church donated over €3.8 million and 50 tons of food, clothes, and healthcare products through collections organized in parishes across the country and the diaspora. Other important initiatives were the #soliDAR campaign, aimed at providing hot meals and food for war-affected communities in Ukraine,70 and the We Are One charity concert organized by the municipality of Bucharest on March 12, which raised more than €750,000 for the Romanian Red Cross’s Ukrainian appeal.71 In a country where GDP per capita was €15,618 in 2022, these sums are significant.72 The refugee crisis thus saw an awakening of solidarity in Romanian civil society, which will hopefully contribute to safeguarding the country’s democratic values in the future.

Independent Media 1.00-7.00 pts
Examines the current state of press freedom, including libel laws, harassment of journalists, and editorial independence; the operation of a financially viable and independent private press; and the functioning of the public media. 3.50 / 7.00
  • The European Commission published a report on July 13 placing the Romanian press in the category of highest risk to freedom of expression.73 The report found that journalists in the country have limited access to public information, and there is insufficient transparency in the dissemination of content paid for by political parties74 during and outside electoral campaigns.75 Broadcasters are not obliged to disclose who pays for content or to distinguish different types of content produced during electoral campaigns—in particular, indicating whether it is their own editorial content or airtime bought by political parties. The report also noted a lack of transparency in the sums that parties pay for content, or for which channels. A series of journalistic investigations76 published in 2022 indicated that political parties have substantial control over media channels and the content of news reports on political developments. Party leaders refuse to disclose where public money goes, but evidence indicates that popular TV channels and websites receive public funding from PNL and PSD. Between January and July, the parties paid over €10 million for press and propaganda,77 often through private agencies to avoid transparency and invoke contractual clauses of confidentiality.78
  • The report79 also highlighted that Romania has not yet transposed the EU’s Audiovisual Media Services Directive, causing Romania to be brought before the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on May 19.80 While the directive aims to improve media pluralism and independence, promote cultural diversity, and ensure an adequate level of consumer and child protection,81 the case was apparently closed by the ECJ on September 29 without explanation.82
  • The commission’s report83 expressed increasing concern over the number of threats, harassment, and physical violence against journalists in Romania.84 Among these cases,85 two prominent reporters were harassed after publishing critical articles on PM Ciucă’s plagiarism allegations and conspiracy theories about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine spread on social media by a top military academy professor.86 The news website G4Media was also intimidated and experienced cyberattacks after revealing details about certain national security bills before their official publication.87
  • The Romanian government, along with the Department for Emergency Situations and CSOs, was reportedly planning to set up an IT platform88 to identify and combat fake news, disinformation, and propaganda during the war in Ukraine.89 However, on March 11, the Romanian think tank Expert Forum called on the government “not to set up a Ministry of Truth,” as such a platform could contribute to Romania’s democratic backsliding by increasing the level of censorship and infringing on personal freedom of expression.90 The status of the platform’s development remained unclear at year’s end.
Local Democratic Governance 1.00-7.00 pts
Considers the decentralization of power; the responsibilities, election, and capacity of local governmental bodies; and the transparency and accountability of local authorities. 4.25 / 7.00
  • The decentralization process in Romania has faced obstacles as some ministries have shown their resistance or have changed their positions, whereas others remain reluctant to respond despite frequent calls from local authorities to speed up the process.91 The Ministry of Development has been coordinating the process, while the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Tourism, and Ministry of Health oppose it. The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Labor believe they have nothing to decentralize.92 Although the decentralization process is a priority for the 2021–24 government, no reported progress was made after the establishment of an inter-ministerial technical committee in July 2022.93 Decentralization would lead to a leaner administrative apparatus and better serve local needs, which are often better understood by local than central authorities.
  • Although local self-governance would be ideal, corrupt or clientelistic practices can interfere with democratic processes due to the lack of checks and balances. For example, projects financed by the Ministry of Development through the national Anghel Saligny investment program, which aims to develop basic infrastructure in local communities, has been criticized for allegedly endorsing projects based on the local power share of political parties rather than on the fulfilment of technical criteria.94 This highlights how the interests of political parties and backroom political arrangements at the central level often supersede the interests of local communities.
  • Public office appointments based on party loyalty rather than qualifications was another key problem undermining local democratic governance in 2022. An investigation published on January 25 by Recorder, a Bucharest-based online news platform founded by investigative journalists, shows how counselors of the Târgu Mureș mayor dictated hiring in the civil service and arranged competitions in favor of PSD members.95 This case was especially controversial as local citizens explicitly voted for the removal of party clientelism, overthrowing the old political class after 20 years in office.96 Similarly,97 on September 13, Alexandru Stănescu, brother of PSD senator Paul Stănescu, won the selection process for the post of director general of the South-West Oltenia Regional Development Agency (RDA).98 Stănescu has no experience in the field of European funds, but he now heads an institution that manages €1.2 billion in European funds.99 The DNA announced on October 14 an investigation into this “rigged hiring.”100
Judicial Framework and Independence 1.00-7.00 pts
Assesses constitutional and human rights protections, judicial independence, the status of ethnic minority rights, guarantees of equality before the law, treatment of suspects and prisoners, and compliance with judicial decisions. 4.25 / 7.00
  • According to the European Commission report in May, the efficiency and effectiveness of Romania’s justice system were assessed as deteriorating, especially for administrative cases, and there were concerns about judicial independence.101 Additionally, a wave of judicial retirements has weakened the rule of law in Romania, and judges and prosecutors are still at risk of political manipulation.102
  • On November 22, the European Commission approved the official closure of the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), which has monitored Romania’s progress in judicial reform and the fight against corruption since the country’s EU accession in 2007.103 The commission’s evaluation praised Romania’s efforts to strengthen the judiciary, including the recent adoption of justice laws, a new national anticorruption strategy, a positive record in investigating and sanctioning high-level corruption, progress in revising the criminal codes, and improvements in lifting political immunity of members of Parliament.104
  • On March 11, President Iohannis promulgated the law to abolish the special Section for the Investigation of Offenses in the Judiciary (SIIJ), thus fulfilling long-standing European and domestic requests for the dissolution of the special section. However, on March 24, the Venice Commission expressed regret at the haste with which the law was passed through Parliament and recommended reinforcing the competences, autonomy, and functional independence of the National Anticorruption Directorate (DNA) and Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) to investigate and prosecute crimes within their jurisdictions.105
  • On May 30, the government adopted an emergency ordinance amending the criminal code to comply with the Constitutional Court’s decision that had declared unconstitutional an article changing the statute of limitations.106 The ordinance thus prevents many defendants from escaping prosecution.107
  • On September 15, the government decided to postpone the adoption of new national security laws.108 First published in full by G4Media, the legislative package seemed to be one of the worst attacks on Romania’s democracy in recent years since it would grant significantly increased powers to the intelligence services, immunity to SRI and SIE officers, and make it almost impossible to dismiss the heads of the two intelligence services. It would also force citizens to cooperate with the secret services if requested to do so, which was the circumstance under the former communist regime.109
  • On October 17, the Senate (upper chamber of Parliament) adopted drafts of the Law on the Status of Magistrates, Law on the Judicial Organization, and Law on the Superior Council of Magistracy. MPs from USR (Save Romania Union) and Forta Dreptei (Force of the Right) challenged the legislative package before the Constitutional Court,110 arguing that the government is taking Romania’s justice system back to the pre-accession period by bending it in favor of politicians and their companies.111 After they were declared constitutional by the court, President Iohannis promulgated the laws on November 16.112 On November 18, the Venice Commission issued an urgent opinion stating that although there were some potentially problematic aspects, the laws seemed to be “moving in the right direction.”113
  • The independence of the judiciary was severely questioned over the adjudication of PM Ciucă’s plagiarism cases. On July 1, 14 NGOs filed a penal complaint about potential misconduct in the execution of justice. In one case, a judge of the Bucharest Court of Appeal suspended the examination of plagiarism complaints, citing the need for political stability and the potential damage to PM Ciucă’s image.114 In the other case, a judge appointed by PNL to several public offices rejected requests to examine allegations of plagiarism, with indications of possible manipulation of the case allocation system.115 More specifically, G4Media and the NGO Declic claimed that the “cover method” was used to interfere in the random assignment of the case to the Bucharest Court of Appeal to direct the case to a “dedicated judge.”116 The Judicial Inspectorate, however, found no wrongdoing in the procedures used in judging the plagiarism cases.117
Corruption 1.00-7.00 pts
Looks at public perceptions of corruption, the business interests of top policymakers, laws on financial disclosure and conflict of interest, and the efficacy of anticorruption initiatives. 4.00 / 7.00
  • In April 2022, the US State Department reported118 that Romania in 2021 had faced “widespread serious official corruption” despite several high-profile prosecutions, “corrupt financing mechanisms” in the media sphere that led to its excessive politicization, as well as misuse of public funds by elected officials and civil servants.119 The year 2022 was also characterized by investigations that highlighted how deeply entrenched the problem of corruption remains in Romania, particularly among high-ranking politicians and civil servants.120 A notable event of the year was the sentencing of former Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu to 10 years and eight months in prison for bribery, forming an organized criminal group, and abuse of office.121 Former tourism minister Elena Udrea was sentenced to six years in prison for bribery and abuse of office after challenging the court decision multiple times.122
  • In March, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) announced an investigation of 44 offenses involving misuse of European funds in Romania, with total damages of around €1.3 billion.123 In December, the EPPO referred two criminal cases to the Bucharest Tribunal. In the first case, 23 people were indicted for participating in a criminal organization operating in Romania and Austria to fraudulently obtain more than €5 million in EU and national funds.124 In the second case, five individuals and four companies were indicted for fraudulently obtaining more than €3 million in EU funds for the development of the Danube Delta.125
  • In a highly publicized corruption case related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Adrian Ionel, former director of the national company Unifarm, was sentenced in July to six years and eight months in prison for soliciting a bribe of €760,000 from representatives of another company in exchange for a contract to purchase personal protective equipment.126
  • In October, news agencies reported “miraculous” increases in the revenues registered by the Nădlac II Customs Office in the western county of Arad—up by 3,200 percent in 2021 compared to 2019.127 The revenues started increasing in late 2019, at which time the DNA opened an investigation into the office’s treasury. The DNA revealed that PSD had controlled the local customs office by appointing heads of institutions based on bribes proportionate to the importance of the position, and by receiving fees that varied depending on “the needs of the moment.”128
  • However, in the fight against Romania’s “timber mafia,” anticorruption prosecutors have not been successful. According to an investigation published by Recorder, the entity that administers half of the country’s forests, Romsilva, has played down the impact of timber theft, protects those who commit wrongdoing, and sanctions those who speak out about problems in the system.129 The investigation also revealed strong connections between influential people from PSD and PNL and companies that have been exploiting forests illegally in recent years.130 While some criminal cases were initiated to investigate illegal deforestation and timber theft, these were quickly closed without any actions taken, leaving intact the networks responsible for destroying Romania’s forests and promoting corruption within the industry.
  • At the request of PSD MP Laura Vicol-Ciorbă, the National Integrity Agency (ANI) hid RON 25.3 million ($5.5 million) in her assets declaration.131 Vicol is one of PSD’s most controversial MPs due to her connections with organized crime.132
  • On November 22, the European Commission declared the progress that Romania had made in the fight against corruption as “sufficient” and closed the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), which had monitored the country’s progress in this area since its EU accession in 2007. The commission welcomed Romania’s positive track record in investigating and sanctioning corruption in 2021–22, and authorities’ increased efficiency in enforcing rules on integrity and conflicts of interest, and recovering criminal assets.133
  • The European Commission’s July report on Romania’s rule of law found a lack of comprehensive whistleblower protections in the country.134 On December 19, a new law on the protection of whistleblowers, which was intended to implement a European Directive, was finally promulgated, a year after the EU’s deadline.135 The delay was caused by controversial amendments that could have discouraged potential whistleblowers and hampered the detection of corruption and fraud in the EU.136 In its final form, the bill addressed these concerns;137 however, some NGOs still argue that the bill discourages the investigation of complaints.138

Author: Claudia Badulescu is a PhD Researcher in Political and Social Sciences at the European University Institute (EUI), where she is studying Europeanization of post-communist public administrations from the CEE and the Western Balkans. At EUI, Badulescu has worked on a variety of international research projects, including the Horizon 2020 project InDivEU, the ERC Synergy program SOLID, the POLCON project, and the euandi 2019 project. Previously, she worked as a Senior Project Manager at the ENA (France), where she had a leading role in the management of international projects supporting administrative reform in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Footnotes

  • 1Maia Van Kline, “Romania’s Constitutional Court rules that plagiarists can retain their doctoral degree”, Romania-Insider.com, 10 June 2022, https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-constitutional-court-plagiarism…
  • 2Bogdan Aurescu, “Opt luni de "diplomație de război" pentru securitatea României. Opt luni de sprijin al României pentru Ucraina și poporul ucrainean” [Eight months of "war diplomacy" for Romania's security. Eight months of Romania's support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people], Digi24, 24 October 2022, https://www.digi24.ro/opinii/agora-digi/opt-luni-de-diplomatie-de-razbo…
  • 3The accession was vetoed only by Austria on grounds that the EU’s migration policy should be reformed before enlarging the Schengen area. While Bulgaria was also denied accession to Schengen, Croatia was granted access to the free travel area as of the 1st of January 2023, in spite of having joined the EU more recently than Romania and Bulgaria. See more here: Nick Thorpe, “Schengen: No EU border-free zone for Romania and Bulgaria”, BBC News, 08 December 2022,https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63905113 .
  • 4European Commission, “2022 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Romania”, Commission staff working document, 13 July 2022, https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/52_1_194026_coun_chap…
  • 5Nicolae Bian, “Expert Forum: Solicităm Guvernului să NU instituie “Ministerul Adevărului”” [Expert Forum: We call on the Government NOT to establish a "Ministry of Truth"], G4Media.ro, 11 March 2022 https://www.g4media.ro/expert-forum-solicitam-guvernului-sa-nu-institui…
  • 6Andreea Rubica, “România, sub tirul propagandei ruse. Ce efect are dezinformarea trolilor pe Twitter ANALIZĂ” [Romania, under Russian propaganda fire. What the effect of troll disinformation on Twitter ANALYSIS], Adevarul.ro, 02 November 2022, https://adevarul.ro/politica/romania-tirul-propagandei-ruse-efect-dezin…
  • 7The Anghel Saligny programme was launched in September 2021 and foresees investments of RON 50 billion ($10.8 billion) between 2021-2028, to support the development of local communities’ roads, sewerage and gas infrastructure. See more here: Daniel Ionascu, “Ce este programul Anghel Saligny, care a divizat coalitia de guvernare. Miza celore 50 de miliarde de lei” [What is the Anghel Saligny programme that divided the governing coalition. The stakes are over 50 billion lei], Libertatea, 03 September 2021, https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/ce-este-programul-anghel-saligny-care-a…
  • 8While the necessary legislation is in place, public authorities do not provide written explanations when dismissing proposals submitted by the civil society during a legislative procedure. Source: European Commission, “2022 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Romania”, Commission staff working document, 13 July 2022, https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/52_1_194026_coun_chap…
  • 9Nicolae Bian, “BREAKING Șefa Parchetului European, Laura Codruța Kovesi, anunță că analizează o posibilă sesizare la Comisia Europeană pentru activarea mecanismului de condiționarea a fondurilor europene de statul de drept în România din cauza modului în care a fost transpusă directiva privind avertizorul de integritate” [BREAKING The head of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, Laura Codruța Kovesi, announces that she is analysing a possible referral to the European Commission to activate the mechanism for making EU funds conditional on the rule of law in Romania because of the way the whistleblower directive has been transposed”, G4Media.ro, 30 June 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-sefa-parchetului-european-laura-codruta…
  • 10“UPDATE: Legea avertizorilor de integritate intră în vigoare joi” [UPDATE: Integrity Whistleblowers Act comes into force on Thursday], Avocatnet.ro, 19 December 2022, https://www.avocatnet.ro/articol_59950/Legea-avertizorilor-de-integrita…
  • 11“Grup de ONG-uri, după ce Parlamentul a adoptat Legea avertizorului de integritate: Raportarea anonimă este reglementată într-o modalitate care descurajează investigarea sesizărilor / PSD și PNL au arătat, încă o dată, că nu doresc o protecție reală a acestora” [NGO group after Parliament passed whistleblower law: anonymous reporting is regulated in a way that discourages investigation of complaints / PSD and PNL have shown once again that they do not want real protection for them], G4Media.ro, 13 December 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/grup-de-ong-uri-dupa-ce-parlamentul-a-adoptat-le…
  • 12I. Ghe. “Legile Justitiei, contestate la CCR” [Justice laws challenged at the CCR], Bursa.ro, 21 October 2022, https://www.bursa.ro/legile-justitiei-contestate-la-ccr-44830847 ; “UPDATE: Noile legi ale justiției intră în vigoare pe 16 decembrie” [UPDATE: New justice laws enter into force on 16 December], Avocatnet.ro, 16 November 2022, https://www.avocatnet.ro/articol_55985/Noile-legi-ale-justi%C8%9Biei-in…
  • 13The National Coalition for Romania (Romanian: Coaliția Națională pentru România, CNR) includes the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR/RMDSZ).
  • 14Radu-Sorin Marinas, “Romania parliament endorses PM Ciuca’s grand coalition government”, Reuters, 25 November 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romania-parliament-endorses-pm-ciu…
  • 15R.K, “Florin Roman a demisionat din funcția de ministru al Cercetării și Digitalizării” [Florin Roman resigned as Minister for Research and Digitisation], Digi24, 12 December 2021, https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/florin-roman-si-a-dat-…
  • 16“Dan Vîlceanu a demisionat de la Ministerul Investițiilor și Proiectelor Europene” [Dan Vîlceanu resigned from the Ministry of Investment and European Projects], Euractiv.ro, 06 April 2022, https://www.euractiv.ro/politic-intern/dan-vilceanu-a-demisionat-de-la-…
  • 17Dora Vulcan & Cristian Andrei, “Adrian Chesnoiu a demisionat din funcția de ministru al Agriculturii după ce DNA a cerut urmărirea sa penală” [Adrian Chesnoiu resigned as Minister of Agriculture after DNA requested his prosecution], Europa Libera Romania, 23 June 2023, https://romania.europalibera.org/a/chesnoiu-cercetat-dna/31911840.html
  • 18Oana Despa, “Ministrul Educației, Sorin Cîmpeanu, a demisionat” [Education Minister Sorin Cîmpeanu has resigned”, Europa Libera Romania, 29 September 2022, https://romania.europalibera.org/a/demisie-sorin-campeanu/32058276.html
  • 19Euronews, “Ukraine war: Romania's defence minister Vasile Dincu resigns after Russia peace comments“, Euronews, 24 October 2022, https://www.euronews.com/2022/10/24/ukraine-war-romanias-defence-minist…
  • 20Emilia Şercan, “Premierul Nicolae Ciucă a plagiat în teza de doctorat. Printre sursele copiate se numără alte două teze de doctorat” [Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă plagiarized in his doctoral thesis. Among the sources copied are two other doctoral theses], Press One, 18 January 2022, https://pressone.ro/premierul-nicolae-ciuca-a-plagiat-in-teza-de-doctor…
  • 21Cristian Otopeanu, “Acuzat de plagiat, Ciucă cere verificarea tezei sale de doctorat: „Acuzațiile publice nu se pot susține științific în niciun fel” [Accused of plagiarism, Ciucă asks for verification of his PhD thesis: "Public accusations cannot be scientifically supported in any way"], Libertatea, 18 January 2022, https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/premierul-nicolae-ciuca-despre-plagiat-…
  • 22Alexandru Mihaescu, “În plin scandal al legii care amnistiază plagiatele, premierul Nicolae Ciucă se întâlnește cu puternicii rectori” [In the midst of the plagiarism amnesty law scandal, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă meets with powerful rectors], G4Media.ro, 25 July 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/in-plin-scandal-al-legii-care-amnistiaza-plagiat…
  • 23Judge Marius Iosif, who headed the panel analysing the plagiarism allegations, retired shortly after the decision, on a background of allegations of having rigged the mechanism for the random assignment of Ciuca’s case. See more here: Sorin Semeniuc & Dan Tăpălagă, “EXCLUSIVE How Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă’s criminal case was directed by the „cover” method to Judge Marius Iosif, who retired immediately after quashing the plagiarism complaints / Plus: Until last year, Iosif and the government spokesperson were colleagues in the Freemasonry”, G4Media.ro, 28 June 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/exclusive-how-prime-minister-nicolae-ciucas-crim… ;
  • 24Mirabela Vasile, “Curtea de Apel București a respins toate sesizările de plagiat cu privire la doctoratul premierului Ciucă” [Bucharest Court of Appeal rejected all plagiarism claims regarding Prime Minister Ciucă's doctorate”, Euronews Romania, 23 June 2022, https://www.euronews.ro/articole/curtea-de-apel-bucuresti-a-respins-toa… On July 10, the Bucharest Court of Appeal has started an internal investigation in the case of Prime Minister Ciucă's lawsuit related to plagiarism allegations, upon strong indications that the case was directed to a judge close to the PNL. Source: Sorin Semeniuc, “Oficial: Curtea de Apel București a început o anchetă internă în cazul procesului premierului Ciucă legat de sesizările de plagiat. Există indicii puternice că dosarul a fost direcționat spre un judecător apropiat de PNL” [Official: The Bucharest Court of Appeal has started an internal investigation in the case of Prime Minister Ciucă's lawsuit related to plagiarism allegations. There are strong indications that the case was directed to a judge close to the PNL], G4Media, 10 July 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/oficial-curtea-de-apel-bucuresti-a-inceput-o-anc…
  • 25Mirabela Vasile, “Curtea de Apel București a respins toate sesizările de plagiat cu privire la doctoratul premierului Ciucă” [Bucharest Court of Appeal rejected all plagiarism claims regarding Prime Minister Ciucă's doctorate”, Euronews Romania, 23 June 2022, https://www.euronews.ro/articole/curtea-de-apel-bucuresti-a-respins-toa… On July 10, the Bucharest Court of Appeal has started an internal investigation in the case of Prime Minister Ciucă's lawsuit related to plagiarism allegations, upon strong indications that the case was directed to a judge close to the PNL. Source: Sorin Semeniuc, “Oficial: Curtea de Apel București a început o anchetă internă în cazul procesului premierului Ciucă legat de sesizările de plagiat. Există indicii puternice că dosarul a fost direcționat spre un judecător apropiat de PNL” [Official: The Bucharest Court of Appeal has started an internal investigation in the case of Prime Minister Ciucă's lawsuit related to plagiarism allegations. There are strong indications that the case was directed to a judge close to the PNL], G4Media, 10 July 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/oficial-curtea-de-apel-bucuresti-a-inceput-o-anc…
  • 26The new legislation also provides for the reorganization of the National Council for the Accreditation of University Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates (CNATDCU), a key institution in the analysis of plagiarism; This reorganization effectively means the abolition of the Council. Source: Raluca Pantazi, “BREAKING Amnistierea plagiatorilor prin noua lege a educației: orice plagiator va putea să renunțe, gratis, la doctoratul făcut pe banii statului, dacă legea este promovată. Premierul Ciucă, protagonist al celui mai mare scandal de plagiat din prezent, “a validat total“ legea și va putea renunța unilateral la titlu” [BREAKING Amnesty for plagiarists under the new education law: any plagiarist will be able to give up his PhD for free, if the law is passed. PM Ciucă, protagonist of the biggest plagiarism scandal today, "totally validated" the law and will be able to unilaterally give up the title], Edupedu.ro, 25 July 2022, https://www.edupedu.ro/breaking-amnistierea-plagiatorilor-prin-noua-leg…
  • 27“BREAKING Prescrierea plagiatului în 3 ani de la săvârșirea faptei – o nouă metoda de amnistiere a plagiatorilor inclusă în proiectul de lege a Educației. Răspunderea civilă și administrativă dispare după 3 ani” [BREAKING Plagiarism statute of limitations within 3 years of the crime - a new method of amnesty for plagiarists included in the Education Bill. Civil and administrative liability disappears after 3 years], G4Media, 26 July 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-prescrierea-plagiatului-in-3-ani-de-la-…
  • 28Andreea Pavel, “România interzice intrarea navelor rusești în Portul Constanța/ Autoritatea Navală Română se aliniază astfel sancțiunilor europene/ Sunt interzise și iahturile sau ambarcațiunile de agrement/ Care sunt excepțiile”[ Romania bans Russian ships from entering the Port of Constanta/ Romanian Naval Authority aligns itself with European sanctions/ Yachts and pleasure boats are also banned/ What are the exceptions], G4Media, 16 April 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/romania-interzice-intrarea-navelor-rusesti-in-po…
  • 29Nandita Bose & Luiza Ilie, “U.S.'s Harris slams Putin, credits Romania for Ukraine refugee help”, Reuters, 12 March 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/vp-harris-heads-romania-ukraine-invasion-…
  • 30Andreea Ghinea, “Ce ajutor a primit Ucraina de la România în cele opt luni de război” [What aid Ukraine received from Romania during the eight months of war], Stirile ProTV, 24 October 2022, https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/actualitate/ce-ajutor-a-primit-ucraina-de…
  • 31Henry Foy, “Romania expels 10 Russian diplomats”, Financial Times, 05 April 2022, https://www.ft.com/content/664f0990-313f-4ed3-b85e-0a479399e613#post-e6… ; Florin Marinescu, “Președintele Iohannis anunță că vrea sancțiuni suplimentare pentru Rusia și Belarus, pe lângă cele agreate joi seară de Consiliul European” [President Iohannis announces he wants additional sanctions on Russia and Belarus on top of those agreed Thursday evening by the European Council], G4Media.ro, 25 February 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/presedintele-iohannis-anunta-ca-vrea-sanctiuni-s… ;; “Contul de Twitter al Ambasadei Rusiei în România a fost suspendat” [The Twitter account of the Russian Embassy in Romania has been suspended], G4Media.ro, 14 March 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/contul-de-twitter-al-ambasadei-rusiei-in-romania… ; Florin Marinescu, “VIDEO Guvern: România închide mai multe versiuni ale site-ului de propagandă Sputnik / Russia Today, interzisă pe toate rețelele de cablu / Peste 33.000 de cetățeni ucraineni au venit în România, 373 au aplicat pentru azil” [VIDEO Government: Romania closes several versions of Sputnik propaganda website / Russia Today banned on all cable networks / Over 33,000 Ukrainian citizens came to Romania, 373 applied for asylum], G4Media, 28 February 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/video-guvern-romania-a-inchis-mai-multe-versiuni…
  • 32“NATO to set up units in Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary -Biden”, Reuters, 24 March 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/nato-set-up-units-slovakia-romania-bulgar… ; “Reacția lui Iohannis după ce Franța a anunțat ca își va consolida prezenta în România” [Iohannis' reaction after France announced it will strengthen its presence in Romania], Adevarul.ro, 11 October 2022, https://adevarul.ro/politica/iohannis-dupa-ce-franta-a-anuntat-ca-isi-v…
  • 33“German Eurofighters reach Romania for NATO missions amid Ukraine crisis”, Reuters, 17 February 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/german-eurofighters-reach-romania-…
  • 34“Romania to buy drones from Turkey's Baykar as part of military endowment”, Reuters, 1 September 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romania-buy-drones-turkeys-baykar-… ; “Romanian govt approves plan to buy 32 F-16 fighter jets from Norway”, Reuters, 16 June 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romanian-govt-approves-plan-buy-32… ; Ioana Milonean, “Iohannis întărește angajamentul de a aloca 2,5% din PIB pentru Apărare în 2023 / „Este vital să investim în propriile noastre forțe de apărare pentru că există încă state tributare unei mentalități depășite”” [Iohannis reinforces commitment to allocate 2.5% of GDP to Defence by 2023 / "It is vital to invest in our own defence forces because there are still states that are still subject to an outdated mentality" ], G4Media.ro, 25 October 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/iohannis-intareste-angajamentul-de-a-aloca-25-di…
  • 35“Un cvartet european susţine aderarea Ucrainei şi Moldovei la UE“ [A European quartet supports the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU], DW.com, 16 June 2022, https://www.dw.com/ro/un-cvartet-european-sus%C5%A3ine-aderarea-ucraine… ; “Ciucă, despre aderarea Republicii Moldova la UE: Abia atunci misiunea noastră va fi împlinită” [Ciucă on Moldova's accession to the EU: only then our mission will be accomplished], Adevarul.ro, 13 September 2022, https://adevarul.ro/politica/ciuca-despre-aderarea-republicii-moldova-l…
  • 36“Intervenția României a zădărnicit tentativa Rusiei de a băga Chișinăul în întuneric – analiză Deutsche Welle” [Romania's intervention thwarted Russia's attempt to drive Chisinau into darkness - Deutsche Welle analysis], G4Media.ro, 25 October 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/interventia-romaniei-a-zadarnicit-tentativa-rusi… ; “România va alimenta cu gaz Republica Moldova. Ciucă: Cinci milioane metri cubi de gaz pe zi, nu mai mult” [Romania will supply gas to Moldova. Ciucă: Five million cubic meters of gas per day, no more], Adevarul.ro, 4 October 2022, https://adevarul.ro/politica/romania-va-alimenta-cu-gaz-republica-moldo… ;
  • 37Cristina Mirca, “Republica Moldova va fi beneficiara unui nou ajutor de 600 de milioane de euro, oferit de Platforma de Sprijin, organizată de Franţa, Germania şi România” [The Republic of Moldova will be the beneficiary of a new €600 million aid package from the Support Platform organised by France, Germany and Romania], TVR Moldova, 15 July 2022, https://tvrmoldova.md/article/d21a1bc093f99a65/republica-moldova-va-fi-…
  • 38Guvernul Romaniei, “ORDONANȚĂ DE URGENȚĂ nr. 27 din 18 martie 2022” [EMERGENCY ORDINANCE No 27 of 18 March 2022], Monitorul Oficial, 22 March 2022, https://legislatie.just.ro/Public/DetaliiDocument/252777
  • 39Giulia Carbonaro & Natalie Huet, Energy bills are soaring in Europe. This is what countries are doing to help you pay them”, Euronews.next, 26 October 2022, https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/10/26/energy-bills-are-soaring-in-eu…
  • 40Romania’s annual inflation rate was as high as 15.9% in September 2022, the highest since September 2003.
  • 41Marton Dunal, “Romania offers cautionary tale on pitfalls of energy subsidies”, Financial Times, 24 October 2022, https://www.ft.com/content/af21a9ee-6794-4381-9561-2efb7f096e66
  • 42Mihai Roman, “În plină criză a prețurilor la energie, o proaspăt absolventă de facultate a fost angajată ca ”expert” pe lângă președintele celei mai importante instituții din domeniu – ANRE” [In the midst of the energy price crisis, a recent university graduate was hired as an "expert" to the president of the most important institution in the field – ANRE], G4Media.ro, 11 July 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/in-plina-criza-a-preturilor-la-energie-o-proaspa… ; “Curtea Constituțională a decis că numirea lui Alexandru Stănescu la ANRE a fost neconstituțională / Fratele secretarului general al PSD a demisionat în urmă cu două săptămâni” [The Constitutional Court ruled that the appointment of Alexandru Stănescu to ANRE was unconstitutional / The PSD Secretary General's brother resigned two weeks ago], G4Media, 16 March 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/curtea-constitutionala-a-decis-ca-numirea-lui-al…
  • 43The Council of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) decided on January 25 to open accession negotiations with Romania. See more here: Carmen Valica, “OCDE deschide negocierile de aderare cu România. Ce înseamnă statutul de membru” [OECD opens accession negotiations with Romania. What membership means], Europa Libera Romania, 25 January 2022, https://romania.europalibera.org/a/romania-ocde/31671125.html ;
  • 44Andrei Chirileasa, “Romania begins accession discussions with OECD”, Romania-Insider.com, 26 January 2022, https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-accession-discussions-oecd
  • 45Nick Thorpe, “Schengen: No EU border-free zone for Romania and Bulgaria”, BBC News, 08 December 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63905113 .
  • 46The enlargement of the Schengen area requires a unanimous vote in the European Council. On 6 December, Austria was the only state that vetoed Romania’s accession to Schengen, notwithstanding the support shown by the European Commission, the European Parliament and a majority of EU member states. Nick Thorpe, “Schengen: No EU border-free zone for Romania and Bulgaria”, BBC News, 08 December 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63905113 .
  • 47Nick Thorpe, “Schengen: No EU border-free zone for Romania and Bulgaria”, BBC News, 08 December 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63905113 .
  • 48Septimius Pârvu, “Finantarea partidelor politice in 2021” [Funding of political parties in 2021], Policy brief Expert Forum, 23 June 2022, https://expertforum.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/PB140-finantarepartid…
  • 49Septimius Pârvu, “Finantarea partidelor politice in 2021” [Funding of political parties in 2021], Policy brief Expert Forum, 23 June 2022, https://expertforum.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/PB140-finantarepartid…
  • 50“AEP: Subvenţiile pentru partide pe luna octombrie, în valoare de 22,2 milioane lei” [AEP: Subsidies for parties in October amount to 22.2 million lei”, Adevarul.ro, 10 October 2022, https://adevarul.ro/politica/aep-subventiile-pentru-partide-pe-luna-oct…
  • 51“EFOR has released its 2022 annual report on two relevant topics: energy and politics”, Expert Forum, 21 February 2022, https://expertforum.ro/en/2022-annual-report/
  • 52Parties in power can gain more attention in the media, as more than 56% of the subsidies given to major parties are spent for press advertising and propaganda (see more under the section on Independent Media), while the rest is spent mostly on staff, public surveys or consultancy services. Source: “EFOR has released its 2022 annual report on two relevant topics: energy and politics”, Expert Forum, 21 February 2022, https://expertforum.ro/en/2022-annual-report/
  • 53Aside from expenses for press and propaganda, money received from state subsidies was also used, for example, for fraudulently covering expenses incurred while travelling in exotic tourist destinations. This was confirmed by the former PSD treasurer Mircea Drăghici who was sentenced to 6 years in prison on September 5; Source: “Mircea Drăghici, fostul trezorier al PSD, a fost condamnat la 6 ani de închisoare. El a folosit banii de la partid pentru vacanțe” [Mircea Drăghici, former PSD treasurer, was sentenced to 6 years in prison. He used party money for holidays], Digi24, 05 September 2022, https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/justitie/mircea-draghici-fostul…; Cristian Andrei “PSD nu știe/nu răspunde. Ciolacu, Firea, Grindeanu spun că nu știu căror site-uri a plătit partidul 60 de milioane de lei” [PSD doesn't know/doesn't answer. Ciolacu, Firea, Grindeanu say they don't know which sites the party paid 60 million lei to], Europa Libera Romania, 07 July 2022, https://romania.europalibera.org/a/ciolacu-firea-grindeanu-siteuri-plat…
  • 54Cristian Andrei “PSD nu știe/nu răspunde. Ciolacu, Firea, Grindeanu spun că nu știu căror site-uri a plătit partidul 60 de milioane de lei” [PSD doesn't know/doesn't answer. Ciolacu, Firea, Grindeanu say they don't know which sites the party paid 60 million lei to], Europa Libera Romania, 07 July 2022, https://romania.europalibera.org/a/ciolacu-firea-grindeanu-siteuri-plat…
  • 55Clarice Dinu, “ AEP propune noi reguli în finanțarea partidelor: limite pentru banii cheltuiți din subvenție și în campaniile electorale / Cât au dat până acum partidele pentru presă și propagandă și ce nu scrie explicit în lege” [AEP proposes new rules for party financing: limits for money spent on subsidies and electoral campaigns / How much parties have so far spent on press and propaganda and what is not explicitly stated in the law], Hotnews.ro, 29 December 2022, https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-politic-25993288-aep-propune-noi-reguli-fi…
  • 56“Fără condamnați penal la parlamentare și locale. Iohannis a promulgat Legile. Contre PNL- USR” [No criminal convicts in parliamentary and local elections. Iohannis promulgated the laws. Against PNL- USR], Adevarul.ro, 04 November 2022, https://adevarul.ro/politica/fara-condamnati-penal-la-parlamentare-si-l…; Sebastian Rotaru, “Fără penali în funcțiile locale și fără penali în Parlament” [No criminals in local offices and no criminals in Parliament], Euractiv.ro, 11 October 2022, https://www.euractiv.ro/politic-intern/fara-penali-in-functiile-locale-…
  • 57“„Fără penali în funcții publice” ajunge pe masa lui Klaus Iohannis. Condamnații definitiv nu mai au voie să candideze” ["No criminals in public office" reaches Klaus Iohannis' table. Those convicted and sentenced to death are not allowed to run for office], Digi24, 11 October 2022, https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/fara-penali-in-functii…
  • 58The most visible sex scandal was that of former PSD MP Aurel Bălășoiu, now under the attention of prosecutors for possible sexual relations with a minor, but also for rape. In 2020, a mayor of Iasi (Damian Butnariu) was re-elected despite being involved in a scandal after having had sex with two minors. On 2 June 2022, the mayor of Ștefăneștii de Jos (Ilfov) was put on trial for raping a 12-year-old girl. See more here: “Fără condamnați penal pe listele pentru parlamentare și locale” [No criminal convicts on parliamentary and local lists], Adevarul.ro, 11 October 2022, https://adevarul.ro/politica/fara-condamnati-penal-liste-parlamentare-l… ; “„Fără penali în funcții publice” ajunge pe masa lui Klaus Iohannis. Condamnații definitiv nu mai au voie să candideze” ["No criminals in public office" reaches Klaus Iohannis' table. Those convicted and sentenced to death are not allowed to run for office], Digi24, 11 October 2022, https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/fara-penali-in-functii…
  • 59On 18 October, Family Minister Gabriela Firea tabled in Parliament a bill on the obligation to ensure 30% women on the lists in local elections and on the boards of directors of state companies. Further developments in this direction are expected to occur in 2023. “Femeile, slab reprezentate în politică. Nou proiect: 30% din locurile de la alegerile locale să fie rezervate femeilor” [Women, under-represented in politics. New project: 30% of seats in local elections to be reserved for women], Euronews Romania, 20 October 2022, https://www.euronews.ro/articole/femeile-slab-reprezentate-in-politica-…
  • 60“Romania must reject Hungary-style anti-LGBT bill, rights groups say”, Reuters, 29 April 2022, https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/romania-must-reject-hungary-style-…
  • 61Monica Ion, “România trebuie să respingă un proiect de lege anti-LGBT similar celei din Ungaria, afirmă grupurile pentru drepturile omului” [Romania must reject anti-LGBT bill similar to Hungary's, say rights groups], Rador.ro, 29 April 2022, https://www.rador.ro/2022/04/29/romania-trebuie-sa-respinga-un-proiect-…
  • 62Nicolae Bian, “Petiție inițiată de comunitatea Declic, adresată premierului Nicolae Ciucă și Parlamentului: Renunțați la modificările toxice din proiectele privind siguranța națională! Nu vrem ca România să redevină statul milițienesc de dinainte de ’89!” [Petition initiated by the Declic community, addressed to Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă and Parliament: Stop the toxic changes in the national security projects! We don't want Romania to go back to the pre-1989 militia state![, G4Media.ro, 8 June 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/petitie-initiata-de-comunitatea-declic-adresata-…
  • 63“Renunțați la măsurile toxice din proiectele privind securitatea națională!” [Drop toxic measures from national security bills!], Declic.ro, Last accessed on 15 February 2023, https://facem.declic.ro/campaigns/renuntati-modificari-privind-proiectu…
  • 64The NGOs also point out that this bill was preceded by a series of legislative changes that have already increased the powers of the security services in other areas: interception of electronic communications through the Communications Code (a law declared partially unconstitutional by the CCR), the filtering of foreign investments from countries outside the EU, and data access for secret services with a central role in the government cloud project. See more here:“Renunțați la măsurile toxice din proiectele privind securitatea națională!” [Drop toxic measures from national security bills!], Declic.ro, Last accessed on 15 February 2023, https://facem.declic.ro/campaigns/renuntati-modificari-privind-proiectu…; Nicolae Bian, “13 ONG-uri protestează împotriva prevederilor proiectului de lege privind organizarea și funcționarea SRI / Republica Militară România: Impunitate și puteri sporite pentru SRI” [13 NGOs protest against the provisions of the draft law on the organization and functioning of the SRI / Military Republic Romania: Impunity and increased powers for the SRI], G4Media.ro, 31 May 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/13-ong-uri-protesteaza-impotriva-prevederilor-pr…
  • 65Checheriţă Lucian, “Sorin Cîmpeanu, dovedit plagiator, trebuie să plece de la Ministerul Educației” [Sorin Cîmpeanu, proven plagiarist, must leave the Ministry of Education], VeDem Just, 26 September 2022, https://vedemjust.ro/cimpeanu-plagiat/
  • 66Elie Wiesel National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania, “Antisemitismul in vremuri de pandemie” [Antisemitism in times of pandemic], Monitoring report May 2021- April 2022, 20 July 2022, https://www.inshr-ew.ro/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Raport-monitorizare-…
  • 67Mihai Roman, “Raport îngrijorător al Institutului „Elie Wiesel”: În România s-a intensificat discursul antisemit / Mesaje antisemite în Parlament / Derapaje extremiste ale AUR / Lipsa de reacţie a autorităţilor” [Worrying report by the "Elie Wiesel" Institute: Anti-Semitic discourse has intensified in Romania / Anti-Semitic messages in Parliament / Extremist drifts of the AUR / Lack of reaction by the authorities], G4Media.ro, 20 July 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/raport-ingrijorator-al-institutului-elie-wiesel-…
  • 68Elie Wiesel National Institute for the Study of the Holocaust in Romania, “Antisemitismul in vremuri de pandemie” [Antisemitism in times of pandemic], Monitoring report May 2021- April 2022, 20 July 2022, https://www.inshr-ew.ro/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Raport-monitorizare-… ;
  • 69Ciprian Iana, “Numărul refugiaților ucraineni care au intrat în România din februarie 2022 a depășit 3 milioane” [The number of Ukrainian refugees entering Romania since February 2022 has exceeded 3 million], Libertatea.ro, 08 December 2022, https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/numarul-refugiatilor-ucraineni-care-au-…
  • 70Irina Marica, “Solidarity with Ukraine: NGOs, companies and individuals unite to offer help to Ukrainian refugees arriving in Romania”, Romania-Insider.com, 25 February 2022, https://www.romania-insider.com/solidarity-ukraine-romania-refugees-2022
  • 71“We Are One - Humanitarian Event for the Ukrainian people”, Alda, Last accessed on 15 February 2022, https://www.aldalive.com/events/we-are-one-2022-03-12-national-arena-bu…
  • 72Aaron O’Neill, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in Romania, Statista, Last accessed on 15 February 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/373202/gross-domestic-product-gdp-p…
  • 73European Commission, “2022 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Romania”, Commission staff working document, 13 July 2022, https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/52_1_194026_coun_chap…
  • 74European Commission, “2022 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Romania”, Commission staff working document, 13 July 2022, https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/52_1_194026_coun_chap…
  • 75European Commission, “2022 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Romania”, Commission staff working document, 13 July 2022, https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/52_1_194026_coun_chap…
  • 76Mihai Roman, “Europa Liberă: Ce bani a dat la presă Ludovic Orban în 2021, în afara campaniei electorale: 100.000 euro lunar la Realitatea Plus, 75.000 euro lunar la B1 TV” [Free Europe: How much money Ludovic Orban gave to the press in 2021, outside the election campaign: 100,000 euros a month to Realitatea Plus, 75,000 euros a month to B1 TV], G4Media, 07 January 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/europa-libera-ce-bani-a-dat-la-presa-ludovic-orb… ; Mihai Roman, “DOCUMENT Who are the owners of Romania’s big news TV channels: Antena 3, RTV, Digi24, Realitatea and B1 TV”, G4Media.ro, 20 October 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/document-who-are-the-owners-of-romanias-big-news… ; Cristian Pantazi, “BREAKING Premieră: o instituție internațională critică modul în care partidele din România cumpără tăcerea presei cu fonduri de la bugetul statului. Concluzii dure al co-raportorilor Adunării Parlamentare a Consiliului Europei” [BREAKING First: an international institution criticizes the way Romanian parties buy media silence with state budget funds. Tough conclusions of the co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe], G4Media.ro, 07 July 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-premiera-o-institutie-internationala-cr… ; Similar findings were illustrated by a documentary of the investigative journalists from Recorder.ro published on September 14. Victor Ilie, Mihai Voinea, Cristian Delcea, “Prețul tăcerii. O investigație în contabilitatea presei de partid” [The price of silence. An investigation into party press accounting], Recorder.ro, 14 September 2022, https://recorder.ro/pretul-tacerii-o-investigatie-in-contabilitatea-pre…
  • 77Cristian Andrei, “Agenția confidențială. Fost lider PNL: „Am plătit promovarea pe site-urile Antenelor, Digi24, Realitatea, B1, RTV, Hotnews”” [Confidential agency. Former PNL leader: "I paid for promotion on the websites of Antenas, Digi24, Realitatea, B1, RTV, Hotnews"], Europa Libera Romania, 13 September 2022, https://romania.europalibera.org/a/lider-pnl-am-platit-site-urile-anten…
  • 78Cristian Andrei, “Agenția confidențială. Fost lider PNL: „Am plătit promovarea pe site-urile Antenelor, Digi24, Realitatea, B1, RTV, Hotnews”” [Confidential agency. Former PNL leader: "I paid for promotion on the websites of Antenas, Digi24, Realitatea, B1, RTV, Hotnews"], Europa Libera Romania, 13 September 2022, https://romania.europalibera.org/a/lider-pnl-am-platit-site-urile-anten… ; Cristian Andrei, “Comandă politică în PSD: nu dezvăluiți contractele cu presa. Avocații apără „opere confidențiale”” [Political command in PSD: don't reveal press contracts. Lawyers defend "confidential works"], Europa Libera Romania, 19 January 2022, https://romania.europalibera.org/a/psd-contracte-presa-secret-avoca%C8%…
  • 79European Commission, “2022 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Romania”, Commission staff working document, 13 July 2022, https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/52_1_194026_coun_chap…
  • 80European Commission, Infringement decisions, Last accessed on 15 February 2023, https://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-eu-law/infringements-proceedings/i…
  • 81European Commission, Audiovisial and Media Services, Last accessed on 15 February 2023, https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/audiovisual-and-media… ;
  • 82European Commission, Infringement decisions, Last accessed on 15 February 2023, https://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-eu-law/infringements-proceedings/i…
  • 83European Commission, “2022 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Romania”, Commission staff working document, 13 July 2022, https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/52_1_194026_coun_chap…
  • 84European Commission, “2022 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Romania”, Commission staff working document, 13 July 2022, https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/52_1_194026_coun_chap…
  • 85Alice Taylor and Bogdan Neagu, “Romania joins EU black sheep over declining media freedom”, Euractiv.ro, 01 July 2022, https://www.euractiv.com/section/media/news/romania-joins-eu-black-shee… ; Florin Marinescu, “Cum a încercat să oprească o anchetă jurnalistică un angajat al Colegiului Național de Apărare. Telefoane și mesaje de amenințare către soția unui jurnalist G4Media” [How a National Defense College employee tried to stop a journalistic investigation. Threatening phone calls and texts to a journalist's wife G4Media], G4Media.ro, 18 March 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/cum-a-incercat-sa-opreasca-o-ancheta-jurnalistic… ; “De la ce a pornit conflictul dintre Diana Şoşoacă şi reporterii de la Rai Uno. Jurnalista care a intermediat interviul face primele declaraţii VIDEO” [What started the conflict between Diana Șoșoacă and Rai Uno reporters. The journalist who brokered the interview makes her first statements VIDEO], Adevarul.ro, 14 December 2021, https://adevarul.ro/stiri-interne/evenimente/de-la-ce-a-pornit-conflict… ; Dan Tapalaga, “Un președinte fără busolă. Klaus Iohannis și ”oamenii îngrijorați”, atac grav la libertatea presei și la G4Media.ro” [A president without a compass. Klaus Iohannis and "worried people", serious attack on press freedom and G4Media.ro], G4Media.ro, 07 June 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/un-presedinte-fara-busola-klaus-iohannis-si-oame… ;
  • 86Matei Rosca, “Romanian journalists call for action after facing threats, intimidation”, Politico, 13 April 2022, https://www.politico.eu/article/romania-journalist-media-freedom-emilia… ; Alexandru Mihaescu, “After publishing an investigative report accusing Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă of plagiarism in his PhD thesis, journalist Emilia Șercan filed a police complaint for threats against her. Now she claims the Romanian Police has leaked information from her criminal complaint and alleges suppression of evidence.”, G4Media.ro, 05 April 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/after-publishing-an-investigative-report-accusin…
  • 87Nicolae Bian, “Organizația Reporteri fără Frontiere: Este regretabil că președintele Klaus Iohannis a amenințat presa și sursele care au dezvăluit un controversat proiect de lege privind serviciile secrete” [Reporters Without Borders: It is regrettable that President Klaus Iohannis threatened the press and sources who revealed a controversial draft law on secret services], G4Media.ro, 16 June 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/organizatia-reporteri-fara-frontiere-este-regret… ; Alexandru Mihaescu, “Atacul informatic asupra G4Media a încetat. Peste 2 miliarde de request-uri blocate” [The cyber attack on G4Media has stopped. Over 2 billion requests blocked], G4Media.ro, 12 September 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/atacul-informatic-asupra-g4media-a-incetat-peste…
  • 88Oana Osman, “Statul face o platformă care va scana dezinformări în online. Cine asociază Guvernul, președintele și premierul cu corupția ori incompetența e suspect de propagandă rusă în algoritmi propuși” [The state is making a platform that will scan misinformation online. Anyone who associates the government, president and prime minister with corruption or incompetence is suspected of Russian propaganda in proposed algorithms], Profit.ro, 11 March 2022, https://www.profit.ro/povesti-cu-profit/it-c/exclusiv-statul-face-o-pla…
  • 89Nicolae Bian, “Expert Forum: Solicităm Guvernului să NU instituie “Ministerul Adevărului”” [Expert Forum: We call on the Government NOT to establish a "Ministry of Truth"], G4Media.ro, 11 March 2022 https://www.g4media.ro/expert-forum-solicitam-guvernului-sa-nu-institui…
  • 90Nicolae Bian, “Expert Forum: Solicităm Guvernului să NU instituie “Ministerul Adevărului”” [Expert Forum: We call on the Government NOT to establish a "Ministry of Truth"], G4Media.ro, 11 March 2022 https://www.g4media.ro/expert-forum-solicitam-guvernului-sa-nu-institui…
  • 91“Aleșii locali vor descentralizare, Guvernul progresează lent” [Local elected representatives want decentralisation, government moves slowly], Adevarul.ro, 07 September 2022, https://adevarul.ro/politica/alesii-locali-vor-descentralizare-guvernul…
  • 92“Aleșii locali vor descentralizare, Guvernul progresează lent” [Local elected representatives want decentralisation, government moves slowly], Adevarul.ro, 07 September 2022, https://adevarul.ro/politica/alesii-locali-vor-descentralizare-guvernul…
  • 93Guvernul Romaniei, “Nota de Fundamentare - HG nr.800/23.06.2022” [Background Note - HG r.800/23.06.2022], 23 June 2022, https://gov.ro/ro/print?modul=subpagina&link=nota-de-fundamentare-hg-nr…
  • 94According to an investigation undertaken by Expert Forum, around € 10 billion have been allocated in line with the results of the 2020 local elections, with PSD receiving 44% of the funds, PNL – 40% and UDMR – almost 7%. As for the opposition’s elected representatives, 1.17% of the funds went to USR mayors, while 1.39% went to the PMP (a non-parliamentary party). Another 5.99% of the funds went to independents, or other parties that had some mayors elected in the 2020 elections. In some cases, the Government has approved all the requests of an administration, while in other cases it has refused almost all projects. Source: “Marii câștigători ai miliardelor din Programul „Anghel Saligny“” [The big winners of the billions from the "Anghel Saligny" Programme], Adevarul.ro, 18 October 2022, https://adevarul.ro/politica/marii-castigatori-miliarde-program-anghel-…
  • 95Alex Nedea & David Muntean, “Noi dezvăluiri despre fenomenul angajărilor politice. „Băiatul ăsta vine din partea PSD. Dă-i un post cât mai sus”” [New revelations about the phenomenon of political hiring. "This boy comes from the PSD. Give him a top job"], Recorder.ro, 25 January 2022, https://recorder.ro/noi-dezvaluiri-despre-fenomenul-angajarilor-politic…
  • 96Alex Nedea & David Muntean, “Noi dezvăluiri despre fenomenul angajărilor politice. „Băiatul ăsta vine din partea PSD. Dă-i un post cât mai sus”” [New revelations about the phenomenon of political hiring. "This boy comes from the PSD. Give him a top job"], Recorder.ro, 25 January 2022, https://recorder.ro/noi-dezvaluiri-despre-fenomenul-angajarilor-politic…
  • 97See more similar cases here: Alexandru Mihaescu, “ Un PSD-ist promovat de Dragnea și Dăncilă, trecut pe la PPUSL, a fost pus șef al Protecției Consumatorului. Horia Constantinescu a cununat un fiu al lui Adrian Năstase” [A PSD-ist promoted by Dragnea and Dancila, who was formerly with the PPUSL, has been appointed head of the Consumer Protection. Horia Constantinescu married a son of Adrian Nastase], G4Media.ro, 21 January 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/horia-constantinescu-pus-sef-al-protectiei-consu… ; “DNA a început urmărirea penală împotriva lui Costel Alexe în legătură cu numirea unui director interimar la școală populară de arte „Titel Popovici” din Iași. Prejudiciul se ridică la 86.000 de lei” [DNA has started criminal proceedings against Costel Alexe in connection with the appointment of an interim director at the "Titel Popovici" folk art school in Iasi. The damage amounts to 86,000 lei”, G4Media.ro, 18 February 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/dna-a-inceput-urmarirea-penala-impotriva-lui-cos… ; Florin Marinescu, “Predoiu a pus secretar general la Ministerul Justiției un funcționar pe care el însuși îl concediase în 2020. Ion Claudiu Teodorescu a fost consilier personal al lui Victor Ponta, sprijinit de Florin Iordache să ocupe funcții în toate guvernele PSD” [Predoiu appointed a civil servant whom he himself fired in 2020 as Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice. Ion Claudiu Teodorescu was Victor Ponta's personal advisor, supported by Florin Iordache to hold positions in all PSD governments.], G4Media.ro, 18 February 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/predoiu-a-pus-secretar-general-la-ministerul-jus…
  • 98“BREAKING Alexandru Stănescu, cu zero experiență în fonduri UE, a devenit șef peste 1,2 miliarde de euro. E inginer mecanic agricol și fratele baronului PSD Paul Stănescu” [BREAKING Alexandru Stănescu, with zero experience in EU funds, has become boss over €1.2 billion. He is an agricultural mechanical engineer and brother of PSD baron Paul Stănescu], G4Media.ro, 13 September 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-alexandru-stanescu-cu-zero-experienta-i…
  • 99“BREAKING Alexandru Stănescu, cu zero experiență în fonduri UE, a devenit șef peste 1,2 miliarde de euro. E inginer mecanic agricol și fratele baronului PSD Paul Stănescu” [BREAKING Alexandru Stănescu, with zero experience in EU funds, has become boss over €1.2 billion. He is an agricultural mechanical engineer and brother of PSD baron Paul Stănescu], G4Media.ro, 13 September 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-alexandru-stanescu-cu-zero-experienta-i…
  • 100Cristian Otopeanu, “DNA analizează concursul organizat pentru angajarea fratelui lui Paul Stănescu la ADR Sud-Vest Oltenia” [DNA examines the competition organized to hire Paul Stănescu's brother at RDA South-West Oltenia], Libertatea.ro, 14 October 2022, https://www.libertatea.ro/stiri/dna-analizeaza-concurs-alexandru-stanes…
  • 101European Commission, “2022 Country Report – Romania”, Commission Staff Working Document, Brussels, 08 June 2022, https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022-06/2022-european-semeste…
  • 102Dan Tapalaga, “The lifting of the CVM: a breath of fresh air for the Government and President Iohannis / What the European Commission’s decision means for Romania”, G4Media, 22 November 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/the-lifting-of-the-cvm-a-breath-of-fresh-air-for…
  • 103“Brussels ends 15 years of special rule-of-law surveillance on Romania”, Euronews, 23 November 2022, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/11/23/brussels-ends-15-years-of…
  • 104“România scapă de Mecanismul de Cooperare și Verificare(MCV): anunțul Comisiei Europene” [Romania escapes the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM): European Commission announcement], Wall-Street.ro, 22 November 2022, https://www.wall-street.ro/articol/Legal-Business/291780/romania-scapa-…
  • 105Shortly before the decision to abolish the SIIJ, the European Commissioner for Justice expressed concern and announced an evaluation of the law in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission. As it stands, the new law is criticized for undermining criminal investigations of judges and prosecutors, and for weakening the fight against corruption and organized crime. Source: Ioana Milonean, “Comisarul european pentru Justiție i-a transmis lui Predoiu preocupările privind Secția Specială / Vera Jourova: Vom urmări îndeaproape discuțiile cu Comisia de la Veneția și vom face o evaluare a legii privind desființarea SIIJ “ [European Commissioner for Justice has raised concerns about the Special Section with Predoiu / Vera Jourova: We will follow closely the discussions with the Venice Commission and will make an assessment of the law on the abolition of the SIIJ], G4Media, 11 March 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/comisarul-european-pentru-justitie-i-a-transmis-…
  • 106“BREAKING Guvernul a adoptat o Ordonanță de Urgență privind modificarea Codului Penal pentru a-l pune în acord cu decizia CCR și pentru a evita ca numeroși inculpați să scape prin prescrierea faptelor” [BREAKING The Government has adopted an Emergency Ordinance amending the Criminal Code to bring it into line with the CCR decision and prevent many defendants from escaping through the statute of limitations], G4Media, 30 May 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-guvernul-are-pe-agenda-sedintei-de-luni…
  • 107“BREAKING Guvernul a adoptat o Ordonanță de Urgență privind modificarea Codului Penal pentru a-l pune în acord cu decizia CCR și pentru a evita ca numeroși inculpați să scape prin prescrierea faptelor” [BREAKING The Government has adopted an Emergency Ordinance amending the Criminal Code to bring it into line with the CCR decision and prevent many defendants from escaping through the statute of limitations], G4Media, 30 May 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-guvernul-are-pe-agenda-sedintei-de-luni… ; Alex Costache & Ana Popescu, “BREAKING Înalta Curte a dat o hotărâre care ar putea duce la închiderea a mii de dosare penale pe motiv de prescripție. Magistrați: decizia va duce la ”amnistie pentru mii de infractori” / Avocat: Ioana Băsescu și Elena Udrea scapă de dosarul în care au primit 5 ani, respectiv, 8 ani de detenție” [BREAKING The High Court has handed down a ruling that could lead to the closure of thousands of criminal cases due to statute of limitations. Magistrates: decision will lead to "amnesty for thousands of criminals" / Lawyer: Ioana Băsescu and Elena Udrea escape from the case in which they received 5 years and 8 years in prison respectively], G4Media.ro, 25 October 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-inalta-curte-a-dat-o-hotarare-care-duce…
  • 108It is a comprehensive package of 10 laws concerning the functioning and organization of the intelligence services, the army, the Ministry of Interior and the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT).
  • 109Cristian Pantazi, “EXCLUSIV G4Media publică integral cele 10 proiecte de legi ale securității naționale – DOCUMENTE” [EXCLUSIVE G4Media publishes the 10 draft national security laws in full – DOCUMENTS], G4Media.ro, 03 June 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/exclusiv-g4media-publica-integral-cele-10-proiec…
  • 110I. Ghe. “Legile Justitiei, contestate la CCR” [Justice laws challenged at the CCR], Bursa.ro, 21 October 2022, https://www.bursa.ro/legile-justitiei-contestate-la-ccr-44830847
  • 111I. Ghe. “Legile Justitiei, contestate la CCR” [Justice laws challenged at the CCR], Bursa.ro, 21 October 2022, https://www.bursa.ro/legile-justitiei-contestate-la-ccr-44830847
  • 112“Klaus Iohannis a promulgat legile justiţiei” [Klaus Iohannis promulgated the justice laws], Digi24, 15 November 2022, https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/klaus-iohannis-a-promu…
  • 113Alexandra Manta, “Comisia de la Veneţia a emis avizul de urgenţă asupra Legilor Justiţiei, care „par să se îndrepte în direcţia corectă” [Venice Commission issued emergency opinion on Justice Laws, which "seem to be moving in the right direction"], Stirile ProTV.ro, 18 November 2022, https://stirileprotv.ro/justitie/comisia-de-la-venetia-a-emis-avizul-de…
  • 114Cristian Pantazi, “14 ONG-uri au sesizat oficial CSM și Inspecția Judiciară în legătură cu cele două sentințe controversate din dosarul de plagiat al premierului Nicolae Ciucă: motivarea judecătoarei care cerea ”stabilitate politică” și repartizarea suspectă la un judecător apropiat de PNL” [14 NGOs have officially notified the SCM and the Judicial Inspectorate about the two controversial sentences in the plagiarism case of Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă: the motivation of the judge who demanded "political stability" and the suspicious assignment to a judge close to PNL], G4Media.ro, 01 July 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/14-ong-uri-au-sesizat-oficial-csm-si-inspectia-j…
  • 115Cristian Pantazi, “14 ONG-uri au sesizat oficial CSM și Inspecția Judiciară în legătură cu cele două sentințe controversate din dosarul de plagiat al premierului Nicolae Ciucă: motivarea judecătoarei care cerea ”stabilitate politică” și repartizarea suspectă la un judecător apropiat de PNL” [14 NGOs have officially notified the SCM and the Judicial Inspectorate about the two controversial sentences in the plagiarism case of Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă: the motivation of the judge who demanded "political stability" and the suspicious assignment to a judge close to PNL], G4Media.ro, 01 July 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/14-ong-uri-au-sesizat-oficial-csm-si-inspectia-j…
  • 116The NGOs claim that the Judge who got the case, Marius Iosif, is a close friend of the PNL and a nominee of the party for a series of public offices; moreover, judge Iosif retired shortly after he got PM Ciucă off the plagiarism charges. Source: Mihai Roman, “Comunitatea Declic depune o plângere penală după anularea sesizărilor de plagiat în cazul premierului Nicolae Ciucă. Organizația cere verificarea modului în care dosarul a ajuns la judecătorul Marius Iosif, numit anterior în mai multe funcții publice de PNL” [The Declic community files a criminal complaint after the cancellation of the plagiarism complaints against Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă. The organisation is asking for a review of how the case reached the judge Marius Iosif, previously appointed to several public positions by PNL], G4Media, 25 August 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/comunitatea-declic-depune-o-plangere-penala-dupa…
  • 117Sorin Semeniuc, “Inspecția Judiciară a clasat sesizarea depusă de 14 ONG-uri referitor la dosarele în care s-a judecat plagiatul premierului Nicolae Ciucă. Inițiatoarea demersului a depus contestație” [The Judicial Inspectorate has closed the complaint filed by 14 NGOs regarding the files in which Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă's plagiarism was judged. The initiator of the complaint lodged an appeal], G4Media.ro, 22 August 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/inspectia-judiciara-a-clasat-sesizarea-depusa-de…
  • 118US State Department, “ROMANIA 2021 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT”, April 2022, Last accessed on 15 February 2022, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/313615_ROMANIA-2021-HU…
  • 119US State Department, “ROMANIA 2021 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT”, April 2022, Last accessed on 15 February 2022, https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/313615_ROMANIA-2021-HU…
  • 120See some examples here: Alin Ionescu, “DNA a trimis în judecată un angajat din Ministerul Dezvoltării, acuzat că ar fi luat șpagă o mașină de lux de 58.000 de euro pentru un proiect din PNDL” [DNA has indicted an employee of the Ministry of Development, accused of bribing a luxury car worth 58,000 euros for a PNDL project], G4Media.ro, 28 January 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/dna-a-trimis-in-judecata-un-angajat-din-minister… ; Alin Ionescu, “Condamnare grea pentru fostul șef al Fiscului Șerban Pop: 13 ani de închisoare pentru o mită de 2,5 milioane de euro / Sentința nu e definitivă, iar Pop este plecat în Italia” [Heavy sentence for former tax chief Șerban Pop: 13 years in prison for a 2.5 million euro bribe / The sentence is not final, and Pop has gone to Italy], G4Media.ro, 13 September 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/condamnare-grea-pentru-fostul-sef-al-fiscului-se… ; Alin Ionescu, “O funcționară din Ministerul Agriculturii, urmărită penal de DNA pentru o presupusă șpagă de 67.000 de lei luată tot de la un funcționar” [An official from the Ministry of Agriculture, prosecuted by DNA for an alleged bribe of 67,000 lei also taken from an official], G4Media.ro, 13 September 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/o-functionara-din-ministerul-agriculturii-urmari… ; Ana Popescu, “Secretar de stat PSD în Ministerul Investițiilor și Proiectelor Europene până săptămâna trecută, urmărit penal de DNA, pentru trafic de influență în perioada în care era consilier în Ministerul Sănătății: ar fi primit 67.000 de lei de la un om de afaceri” [PSD Secretary of State in the Ministry of Investment and European Projects until last week, prosecuted by DNA for influence peddling while he was an advisor in the Ministry of Health: he allegedly received 67,000 lei from a businessman], G4Media.ro, 30 August 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/secretar-de-stat-psd-din-ministerul-investitiilo… ; Alin Ionescu, “BREAKING Percheziții DNA la Primăria Otopeni într-un dosar cu prejudiciu de 35 de milioane de lei la lucrări de canalizare. Primarul e în funcție de peste 24 de ani” [BREAKING DNA raids at Otopeni City Hall in a file involving damages of 35 million lei in sewage works. The mayor has been in office for over 24 years], G4Media.ro, 13 September 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-perchezitii-dna-la-primaria-otopeni-int… ; Andreea Pavel, “Bilanț DNA: Creștere a numărului de dosare și inculpați, prejudiciu total de 1,6 miliarde euro/ Deficit mare de procurori din cauza legilor lui Tudorel Toader/ Constanța, cea mai bună activitate de ST, Pitești și Mureș, cele mai slabe” [DNA balance sheet: Increase in the number of cases and defendants, total damage of 1.6 billion euros/ Large shortage of prosecutors due to Tudorel Toader's laws/ Constanta, the best TS activity, Pitesti and Mures, the weakest], G4Media.ro, 24 February 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/bilant-dna-crestere-a-numarului-de-dosare-si-inc… ; Alin Ionescu, “BREAKING Sorin Mîndruțescu, fostul șef Oracle România, a încheiat cu DNA un acord de recunoaștere a vinovăției. El a recunoscut că a luat mită 569.000 de euro și procurorii cer 2 ani și jumătate de închisoare cu suspendare” [BREAKING Sorin Mîndruțescu, former head of Oracle Romania, has signed a plea agreement with DNA. He admitted taking a bribe of €569,000 and prosecutors are asking for two and a half years in prison suspended], G4Media.ro, 07 June 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-sorin-mindrutescu-fostul-sef-oracle-rom…;
  • 121“Sorin Oprescu a fost condamnat definitiv la 10 ani și opt luni de închisoare” [Sorin Oprescu was sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison], Digi24, 13 May 2022, https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/sorin-oprescu-a-fost-condamnat-…
  • 122“Elena Udrea a pierdut ultima şansă de a scăpa de închisoare în dosarul "Gala Bute"” [Elena Udrea lost her last chance to escape prison in the "Gala Bute" case], Digi24, 31 October 2022, https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/justitie/elena-udrea-a-pierdut-…
  • 123Dan Tapalaga, “Parchetul European anchetează în România 44 de cauze / Prejudiciul total se ridică la 1, 3 miliarde de euro / Nici un dosar privind fraude la TVA / Doar 7 procurori lucrează în dosarele românești, deși au fost alocate 20 de posture” [The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating 44 cases in Romania / Total damage amounts to €1.3 billion / No VAT fraud cases / Only 7 prosecutors working on Romanian cases, although 20 posts have been allocated], G4Media.ro, 31 March 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/parchetul-european-ancheteaza-in-romania-44-de-c…
  • 124“Romania: More than 20 suspects indicted for participation in transnational organisation operating to fraudulently obtain EU funds”, EPPO, 23 December 2022, https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/news/romania-more-20-suspects-indicted-pa…
  • 125“Romania: Five people and four companies indicted for fraud with EU funds for the development of the Danube Delta”, EPPO, 23 December 2022, https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/news/romania-five-people-and-four-compani…
  • 126“Primul mare dosar de corupție din pandemie: Adrian Ionel, fostul director al Unifarm, condamnat la 6 ani şi 8 luni închisoare pentru o mită de 760.000 de euro. Decizia nu e definitive” [The first big corruption dossier of the pandemic: Adrian Ionel, former director of Unifarm, sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in prison for a €760,000 bribe. Decision not final], G4Media.ro, 08 July 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/primul-mare-dosar-de-coruptie-in-pandemie-adrian…
  • 127Madalina Podaru, “Încasări record la Vama Nădlac 2. După ancheta DNA la PSD Arad, veniturile CNAIR au crescut cu 3.200% în 2021” [Record revenues at Nădlac Customs 2. After the DNA investigation at PSD Arad, CNAIR's revenues increased by 3,200% in 2021], Econmedia.ro, 07 October 2022, https://economedia.ro/incasari-record-la-vama-nadlac-2-dupa-ancheta-dna…
  • 128Madalina Podaru, “Încasări record la Vama Nădlac 2. După ancheta DNA la PSD Arad, veniturile CNAIR au crescut cu 3.200% în 2021” [Record revenues at Nădlac Customs 2. After the DNA investigation at PSD Arad, CNAIR's revenues increased by 3,200% in 2021], Econmedia.ro, 07 October 2022, https://economedia.ro/incasari-record-la-vama-nadlac-2-dupa-ancheta-dna…
  • 129Alex Nedea, “Cum încearcă Romsilva să mușamalizeze furturile de lemn din munții Maramureșului “ [How Romsilva tries to cover up timber theft in the Maramures mountains], Recorder.ro, 07 February 2022, https://recorder.ro/cum-incearca-romsilva-sa-musamalizeze-furturile-de-…
  • 130Alex Nedea & David Muntean, “Politicul și mafia pădurilor. Cum blochează politicienii controalele Gărzii Forestiere” [Politics and the forest mafia. How politicians are blocking Forest Guard controls], 30 March 2022, https://recorder.ro/politicul-si-mafia-padurilor-cum-blocheaza-politici…
  • 131Sorin Semeniuc, “La cererea deputatului PSD Laura Vicol-Ciorbă, Agenția de Integritate i-a blurat, în declarația de avere, suma de 25,3 milioane de lei încasată de soț dintr-o misterioasă tranzacție cu părți sociale” [At the request of PSD MP Laura Vicol-Ciorbă, the Integrity Agency blurred, in her assets declaration, the amount of 25.3 million lei received by her husband from a mysterious transaction with social shares.], G4Media.ro, 12 July 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/la-cererea-deputatului-psd-laura-vicol-ciorba-ag…
  • 132Having been a lawyer for gangsters, Vicol is widely known as the “Criminals’ Lawyer”. In addition, her name appears in the public prosecutor's office records when she has friendly discussions with controversial figures with criminal problems. However, the PSD has made her chair of the legal committee of the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Parliament. Source: Mircea Marian, “Tupeu: deputata PSD Laura Vicol, zisă „Avocata infractorilor”, cere DeFapt.ro să șteargă articolul potrivit căruia soțul ei a făcut o tranzacție de 25,38 de milioane de lei” [Shameless: PSD MP Laura Vicol, known as the "Lawyer of criminals", asks DeFapt.ro to delete the article according to which her husband made a transaction of 25.38 million lei], Defapt.ro, 27 July 2022, https://defapt.ro/tupeu-deputata-psd-laura-vicol-zisa-avocata-infractor…
  • 133European Commission, “Romania: Benchmarks under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism are satisfactorily met”, Press release, 22 November 2022, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7029
  • 134European Commission, “2022 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Romania”, Commission staff working document, 13 July 2022, https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/52_1_194026_coun_chap…
  • 135“UPDATE: Legea avertizorilor de integritate intră în vigoare joi” [UPDATE: Integrity Whistleblowers Act comes into force on Thursday], Avocatnet.ro, 19 December 2022, https://www.avocatnet.ro/articol_59950/Legea-avertizorilor-de-integrita…
  • 136Nicolae Bian, “BREAKING Șefa Parchetului European, Laura Codruța Kovesi, anunță că analizează o posibilă sesizare la Comisia Europeană pentru activarea mecanismului de condiționarea a fondurilor europene de statul de drept în România din cauza modului în care a fost transpusă directiva privind avertizorul de integritate” [BREAKING The head of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, Laura Codruța Kovesi, announces that she is analysing a possible referral to the European Commission to activate the mechanism for making EU funds conditional on the rule of law in Romania because of the way the whistleblower directive has been transposed”, G4Media.ro, 30 June 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/breaking-sefa-parchetului-european-laura-codruta…
  • 137“UPDATE: Legea avertizorilor de integritate intră în vigoare joi” [UPDATE: Integrity Whistleblowers Act comes into force on Thursday], Avocatnet.ro, 19 December 2022, https://www.avocatnet.ro/articol_59950/Legea-avertizorilor-de-integrita…
  • 138“Grup de ONG-uri, după ce Parlamentul a adoptat Legea avertizorului de integritate: Raportarea anonimă este reglementată într-o modalitate care descurajează investigarea sesizărilor / PSD și PNL au arătat, încă o dată, că nu doresc o protecție reală a acestora” [NGO group after Parliament passed whistleblower law: anonymous reporting is regulated in a way that discourages investigation of complaints / PSD and PNL have shown once again that they do not want real protection for them], G4Media.ro, 13 December 2022, https://www.g4media.ro/grup-de-ong-uri-dupa-ce-parlamentul-a-adoptat-le…
ecoi.net description:
Report on democratisation (electoral process, civil society, independent media, governance) and rule of law (corruption) in 2022
Country:
Romania
Source:
Freedom House (Author)
Original link:
https://freedomhouse.org/country/romania/nations-transit/2023
Document type:
Periodical Report
Language:
English
Published:
24 May 2023
Available on ecoi.net since:
13 June 2023
Document ID:
2092910

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