Bulgaria and Romania, the EU’s newest members and subject to continued monitoring by the Union, both came up for criticism on Wednesday as the European Commission issued two damning reports on their progress towards EU standards. But if the Commission noted Bulgaria’s need to step up efforts to root out high-level corruption and organised crime, it is Romania that got the most flak amid ongoing domestic political turmoil that has caused concern across Europe.
In unusually strong language, the Commission spoke of “serious concerns about the respect of fundamental principles”, noting that important questions are being raised over the country’s respect for rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
The report comes as the country prepares for a referendum on 29 July to decide whether to uphold Parliament’s 6 July vote to impeach President Traian Basescu. Prime Minister Victor Ponta’s bid to unseat Basescu has been accompanied by a number of institutional changes including an attempt to limit the powers of the Romanian Constitutional Court, and amendments to the referendum law that would have removed requirements for minimum turnout but were struck down by the Constitutional Court.
The moves drew condemnation from the EU and European capitals, prompting fears that Romania is following an anti-democratic path. Ponta, repeating his commitment to democracy made during a placatory visit to Brussels last Thursday, said following the release of the report that “as Prime Minister, I am ready to make any personal and political sacrifice for Romania to be considered a viable partner abroad – a serious partner and a country that respects all democratic rules”.
He was issued with an 11-point “to-do” list after last Thursday’s meeting, including the reinstatement of the powers of the Constitutional Court, “immediate compliance” with its rulings, commitment to respect the independence of the judiciary, and avoiding the “selective use of the publication in the Official Journal, to pursue political objectives, and in particular to avoid application of judicial decisions”.
Ponta’s commitment to adhere to the requests has been overshadowed by interim president and close ally Crin Antonescu’s comments that Romania is a sovereign country whose president does not take orders “from anyone except Parliament and the Romanian people”.
Romania: Land of Family Basescu
In the last 30 days I have been living in Romania and Mr President Traian Basescu use SRI to destroy me, such as mass media, bank clerks, and at offices. The people who follow him are really crazy. This is the first time I see in a country — where I am naturally born, and is my native language — the people in shock. It’s a country where you give somebody poison just playing music or wearing a fake ‘O’ ring wedding, and many other examples.
The citizen of Romania are not really not acknowledging my case. Maybe the mass media has been use against me. I send e-mail to many people in Romanian television without getting any answer. It means Romanian is not following the democratic norms of the EU.
If a president wishes to destroy me and a has made a hobby out of wanting to see me dead a long time ago, is it fairplay for Romanian citizens to play his dirty game?
Anyway the time for family Basescu is at an end, for any political challenge in the future at this country.
Mr Traian Basescu has tried to find an emergency escape in the new President Mr Ungureanu, but perhaps this failed, so when he started the dirty game, he himself may end up in prison.
For a person, without challenge, to become president, or any other employment in structure/system of Romania ,why does he spend all his energy using money, international relations, close friends in Romania to destroy me? Does anyone have an opinion regarding this?
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