The EU Commission wants to take action against Romania. Background are plans for a defusing of the anti-corruption criminal law, from which among other things the boss of the ruling social democrats Liviu Dragnea would profit. However, as the Commission intends to proceed concretely, it remained open for the time being.
The Romanian parliament decided last week to bring about a far-reaching relaxation of anti-corruption criminal law. EU Deputy Commission chief Frans Timmermans had previously warned against such a move. If Romania "de facto creates impunity for high-level officials condemned for corruption", one would be forced to act "immediately" and "hard". The Commission will then use "all means at its disposal".
On Tuesday, a Commission spokesman confirmed on demand that Brussels would now intervene. "If your question is whether there will be swift and decisive action in the case you mentioned, the answer is yes," the spokesman said. "Yes, it will happen." Timmermans informed the other Commissioners and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Proceedings against Hungary and Poland are already under way
It could be a case of infringement of EU treaties or even the initiation of a procedure under Article 7 of the EU Treaty of Lisbon. It is intended to sanction violations of the fundamental values of the EU and, in extreme cases, may lead to the withdrawal of EU voting rights.
Only a few days ago Gunther Krichbaum (CDU), chairman of the European Committee of the Bundestag, had demanded in a letter to Timmermans an Article 7 case against Romania. The fact that the Commission dares to take this step seems unlikely at present. In the case of Hungary and Poland, such procedures are already in progress, but have so far had little effect.