Romanian court validates amendment potentially ousting Timișoara mayor Fritz, who vows to fight on

Dominic Fritz is expected to be reconfirmed as the leader of the USR party during a Political Committee meeting on Wednesday. This move comes after the Constitutional Court validated a controversial amendment proposed by the PSD party, which could lead to Fritz losing his position as mayor of Timișoara.

The amendment, introduced by PSD and supported by AUR, states that individuals definitively found to be in a state of incompatibility or conflict of interest, and who have not yet completed a three-year ban, will automatically lose their public office within 30 days of the law's enactment. This could affect over 120 individuals currently under such restrictions.

Following the court's decision, Fritz announced his intention to challenge the ruling at the European Court of Human Rights. He described the amendment as a "brutal abuse of power" and a "retroactive sanction" for actions that occurred before the law took effect. Fritz vowed to fight not only for his mandate but also for "the free vote given by the people of Timișoara."