Romania FIRES back: EU on brink as Brussels slammed for corruption claims

The Eastern European country passed laws in December that, among other things, would restrict the freedom of prosecutors.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and his deputy Frans Timmermans urged Romania to “rethink” the amendments to its legislation.

The new laws are not yet in force because President Klaus Iohannis, an outspoken critic of corruption in Romania, is yet to countersign them.

The European Commission said in a statement: “The independence of the Romanian judicial system and its ability to act effectively against corruption are indispensable cornerstones of a strong Romania in the European Union.

“The Commission again warns against backtracking and will look thoroughly at the final amendments to the justice law, and the criminal codes and laws on conflict of interest and corruption.”

The two leaders of Romania’s governing parties rejected the EU Commission criticism as “surprising” and “misinformed”.

Liviu Dragnea, chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and president of the House of Representatives, is facing corruption charges and has been convicted of electoral manipulation.

He is therefore not allowed to become Prime Minister despite reports he wants to control the government.

Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, who leads the junior governing partner the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) and the Senate, is also facing corruption charges.

Roughly 50,000 Romanians protested over the weekend against the overhaul of the country’s courts and government corruption.

President Iohannis hired European Parliament lawmaker Viorica Dancila as Prime Minister.

She is the country’s third head of government in a year and its first female leader.

Mrs Dancila replaces PSD ex-leader Mihai Tudose, who quit after falling out with party leader Mr Dragnea.

It was thought Iohannis might veto her becoming Prime Minister, with the 54-year-old having been Mr Dragnea’s first choice.

The President is a critic of Mr Dragnea and the PSD’s record on corruption.

The EU’s criticism comes as it also confronts the ex-communist state Poland, whose nationalist government stands accused of weakening the courts’ independence and back-pedalling on democratic standards.

(Additional reporting by Monika Pallenberg)