Brussels Examines “Fritz Amendment” and Warns Romania Over EU Funds

Brussels has opened a technical examination of Romania’s so-called “Fritz amendment,” with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warning that the dispute could affect EU funds.

The provision forms part of Romania’s new integrity law and is linked to the situation of Dominic Fritz, the mayor of Timișoara. The Commission is asking Bucharest to clarify whether the measure is compatible with European law. Romania has two weeks to respond to a series of questions.

The central concern involves local elected officials and other public figures facing decisions over incompatibility or conflicts of interest. Under the law, certain earlier decisions could lead to the automatic termination of mandates one month after the legislation enters into force. Fritz is among those who could be affected.

Von der Leyen said the Commission was examining whether the relevant article could obstruct the application of EU law. “If the Commission concludes that Article X of the draft law creates an evident impediment to the application of EU law, the Commission will have to consider the consequences regarding the payment request,” she said, according to TVR Info.

That leaves open the possibility of financial measures, including in relation to Romania’s latest payment request, if the provision is found incompatible with EU law and rule-of-law principles. The measure has already triggered a political dispute among Romanian members of the European Parliament. The Social Democratic Party accused the Save Romania Union of “national betrayal,” while USR representatives argued that the adopted legislation violates the European principle of non-retroactivity.

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If the Commission concludes that Article X of the draft law creates an evident impediment to the application of EU law, the Commission will have to consider the consequences regarding the payment request.