Romania Corruption Watch

Corruption in #Romania is a European problem - so everyone in Europe deserves to know about it. #StopCorruption

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

Here is our write-up of Toader's press conference and his assault on Kovesi. The dice have been cast and Toader has chosen his side.

https://t.co/lhkcUcE0gn

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

Also in Finance Minister @e_teodorovici news - He confirmed that a widely circulated joke about ANAF, the Romanian IRS, was actually true. You had to print out on-line forms and take them in person to ANAF. Teodorovici promises a fix next year.
https://t.co/BrSNIPa3RG

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

PSD minister of finance says that hte state must recuperate prejudice from corruption trials but that "sending people to prison is not necessary".

Interesting cognitive dissonance these days in PSD - you need 💰 to run the country but you have to take care of the thieves.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

For a reminder on Rădulescu read our piece from last year

https://t.co/dws6t63lTU

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

Also of note, the Machinegun MP's project to cut out the Romanian President from the appointment of high prosecutors has passed through committees with thumbs up from PSD. This despite the fact that Dragnea claims PSD will not vote for it.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

@KitGillet Winter (Spring?) of our discontent?

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

Also ready for the axe: Tudose himself, for standing up to Dragnea and several others who were too vocal, possibly even Ecaterina Andronescu, eternal Education Minister under many a PSD government, who the more "reformist" branch of PSD tried to push as PM against Dragnea's wish.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

Marian Oprișan, the Vrancea Don who we wrote about last year (https://t.co/RYijBwrgA1) is very close to Dragnea and says the fact that he beat corruption charges "recommends him for a PSD leadership position. Truer words have never been spoken.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

If there will be elections, Dragnea will also likely unseat opponents and appoint some of his own people to key positions. Most visible ones - Executive President Bădălau will likely get the axe for opposing Dragnea on Tudose. Tipped to take his place is Marian Oprișan.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

In PSD news, there will be an extraordinary congress on the 10th of March. IF there will be intra-party elections (thing to be discussed on Monday) Dragnea will ask for confirmation vote as president.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

"All Romanians deserve to live free of Corruption" @TimmermansEU said yesterday as he dove into a full day of talks with @KlausIohannis, Dăncilă and the two heads of chambers of Parliament. Timmermans was ferm though the impact of his speech was probably minimal among politicians

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

For a quick reminder on who Severin is,read our piece from last year:

https://t.co/xNBbW4u7Qc

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

Among reasons for his release: he was an 'excellent inmate" and that "he is a professor, and his students are eagerly waiting for him".

Tudorel Toader did not appear at the parole hearing to complain about the "damage done to Romania's image abroad" as in the case of Laura CK.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

In slightly more infuriating news, former MEP Adrian Severin was released today from prison on good behaviour. Severin served one year and three months of a four year sentence for acts of corruption in the European Parliament (cc: @Europarl_EN @Europarl_RO )

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

All in all, the state of Kovesi's DNA seems strong.The Ball is back in the coalition gov't's court.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

Iohannis even has a small gaffe, talking about Romania now being an "original democracy" instead of "occidental democracy'. He spun the gaffe into a dig at former communist PSD leader and ex-President Ion Iliescu, who coined the phrase "original democracy" some years back.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

Kovesi gave a monotone but par for the course speech, takling about what the #DNA has achieved this past year. The real surprise, though, was @KlausIohannis who gave a laudatory speech, pre-empting any speculation on whether or not Kovesi's position might be in trouble.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

#Toader complained that #Kovesi did not give him the yearly report in due time and snubbed the invitation for today. Not surprising, considering the bad press he has been receiving after the attempt to oust Kovesi, attempt denied by the #CSM and Iohannis.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

Another tour de force today by Laura Codruța Kovesi, with the presentation of the DNA yearly report for 2017. Invitees include several high-ranking magistrates and President @KlausIohannis. Notable absence Tudorel Toader, the minister of justice who vowed not to attend.

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

At the end of the Magistrate Section of the CSM meeting Toader was thoroughly defeated. Kovesi had a great showing and the CSM unanimously voted to deny Toader's dismissal request. The decision rests with pres. @KlausIohannis who has already said that he will not dismiss Kovesi

[Romania Corruption Watch @CorruptRomania]

All in all, Kovesi seems in a safe spot as Prosecutor, barring any attempts by the political majority to suspend the president in order to get at her.