Grindeanu accuses USR of weakening National Integrity Agency to protect 'convicted criminals'

Sorin Grindeanu, president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), accused the Save Romania Union (USR) of attempting to undermine the National Integrity Agency (ANI) by introducing amendments to a draft law on integrity.

During a press conference, Grindeanu stated that USR's proposed amendments would reduce ANI's attributions. He specifically pointed to measures that he claims are designed to shield USR party members, including USR leader and Timișoara Mayor Dominic Fritz, as well as Timișoara Deputy Mayor Paula Romocean, who have been convicted of conflicts of interest.

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Aceste lucruri au dus și la decizia instanței de ieri, care suspendă, practic, procedura legislativă inițiată de Guvern, pe un motiv, până la urmă, de bun-simț, semnalat în repetate rânduri de către PSD: absența totală a dialogului social.

Grindeanu criticized the amendments, particularly those altering the administrative code. He argued that these changes would allow local elected officials to avoid being considered in conflict of interest when issuing or voting on administrative acts. "This is unimaginable," Grindeanu stated, suggesting that USR's actions contradict their image as champions of transparency.

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USR a introdus mai multe amendamente ca să-l scape pe Dominic Fritz și pe alți membri de partid, precum viceprimarul Timișoarei, Paula Romocean, condamnați pentru conflict de interese.

He further elaborated that USR has introduced cumulative conditions that would prevent integrity inspectors from imposing the previously applicable three-year bans based on their reports. Additionally, a threshold of two gross minimum wages was introduced for integrity matters. Grindeanu recalled the strong reactions from USR and National Liberal Party (PNL) leaders when a threshold was proposed for abuse of office, quoting Stelian Ion, Cătălin Drulă, and Ionuț Moșteanu who had criticized such measures as enabling corruption.

Grindeanu asserted that the PSD would not accept any attempt by USR to lower integrity standards under the pretext of implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), especially to protect individuals convicted of offenses. He stated that the party has a "long list" of amendments proposed by USR that diminish ANI's powers, which they will not accept.

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Așa ceva este de neimaginat