Criticism against Romania: nothing to keep in hand

Critics are virulent left and right in the rule of law in Romania.

The European Commission is also worried about the evolution of the situation.

In recent years, the social democratic government of Bucharest has faded. Party leader Liviu Dragnea duly replaced his prime ministers after the December 2016 election victory, but dragged the threads into the background. He himself can not be held head of government because of a previous verdict.

In particular, criticisms of the (o) ability of the government to combat widespread corruption are discussed.

A joint statement by the European Parliament also addresses issues such as police violence, intelligence services and the rules applicable to independent organizations.

"Mota Olle in the gravel"

Several Swedish members had wanted to go further. The concern is that the left-wing government in Romania is moving in the same direction as the right-wing Polish and Hungarian regimes, both of which have been criticized for having, inter alia, strengthened political control over the judiciary.

– This statement could have been much stronger, much clearer to pit Olle against the gravel. If you consider the situation in Hungary and Poland, Romania is on the right track, said Anna Hedh (S).

"This is now the question of an EU domino where country by country falls in the general mood," said his colleague Cecilia Wikström (left).

Hedh and the Swedish Members of the European Parliament are surprised that many of their colleagues from the European parties do not want to criticize the Bucharest government with such severity.

"They're messing around and we do not like it," says Hedh.

To worry before the end of the year

At the same time, Romania is also receiving criticism from the European Commission, which in its annual report, CVM, gives a bleak picture of what is happening.

– What has happened in recent months calls into question all the developments that have occurred over the past ten years, warned First Vice President Frans Timmermans at a press conference in Strasbourg.

The situation is becoming more precarious, with Romania being the second to hold the EU Council of Ministers Presidency in the first half of 2019.

– Of course I'm worried. It's so ridiculous that their motto is "a Europe based on shared values". This is simply not believable. I doubt that will happen, says Cecilia Wikström.

"It is clear that you are worried, especially in the face of the political winds that blow, and then I do not know if Romania is a presidency to which you want to hold your hand," said Anna Hedh.

November 13, 2018 3:22 p.m.