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By the end of 2017, the Romanian government was still bent – but it never lost sight of its weaker punishments for corruption. Now the parliament has pbaded the necessary laws.
It was perhaps tight, but it was enough: with 167 votes, members of the Romanian parliament adopted new rules that significantly lighten the criminal code for abuse of power. The two ruling parties, the Social Democrats of the PSD and the Liberal ALDE, had long defined these legislative changes as their goal.
165 votes would have been necessary to ratify the new law. 97 parliamentarians opposed the changes, 19 abstained. Because reform is under severe criticism: He says that in the future only malpractice is present when the author or his family derives a personal benefit from the action.
Friends and employees excluded from the criminal law
This is third – as for example Friends, employees or a company – in the future excluded from criminal prosecution. In addition, the new rules reduce the maximum penalty for abuse of power: from seven to five years. In addition, the reform eases the conditions under which persons already detained may be released. The anti-corruption unit of the Romanian Public Prosecutor's Office badumes that in over 200 cases of abuse of power underway due to lighter laws, an acquittal is expected
The acquittal of the leader of the PSD, Dragnea?
PSD, Liviu Dragnea, could benefit from the reform. Because he's himself suspected of abuse of power: However, in his case he was not directly, but the PSD the beneficiary. Two party employees were apparently employed and paid for by a youth welfare office, although they did party work.
Dragnea had already been convicted at first instance, but had appealed the verdict. If his case is renegotiated under the most lenient legislation, it is likely that the allegations will be dropped.
The President opposes the reform
But the new criminal law can not yet enter into force. Because it is possible that in Romania with the signature of the President: Klaus Iohannis – and he is a fierce critic, not only the new laws, but the Romanian Conservative government. He was often opposed to the plans of the ruling parties, such as in April, when he opposed the dismissal of Laura Codruta Kövesi, the main corrupt.
And even now, Johannis has annulled the "prejudicial", "outright scandalous" law on. He will prevent it "by all means". Iohannis always has the opportunity to refer the bill to Parliament for revision or to appeal to the Constitutional Court.
The EU was also concerned about the parliamentary decision. The Commission has announced that it intends to examine the latest legislative provisions and not to "hesitate to intervene as guardian of the Treaties" if they are not compatible with existing Community law
After the departure of the PSD and ALDE, the judicial reform would have been implemented much more quickly. Already last year, both parties had to submit the new laws to Parliament – in addition to the softer criminal law, the reform also provided that the government would appoint high-level judges or prosecutors in the future. .
bill. Mbad demonstrations have erupted in the country for weeks, putting pressure on the PSD and ALDE for them to withdraw the reform.
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