After two years and a major crisis, Nicușor Dan has to make a tough decision. Cioloș' diversion at the SRI

Dacian Cioloș's name has been heavily circulated in recent weeks in the public space as representing Nicușor Dan's choice for the leadership of the SRI, but there has been no discussion between the two on this topic, according to sources from Spotmedia.ro, with speculations being extremely similar to those developed around the appointment of a CCR judge by the new president.
After two years and a major crisis, Nicușor Dan has to make a tough decision. Cioloș' diversion at the SRI

For two years, the Romanian Intelligence Service has been without a director. On July 3, 2023, Eduard Hellvig resigned following disagreements with Klaus Iohannis, the former president who refused to appoint a new agency chief. This decision had serious consequences for the entire national security system, culminating in the crisis of November 2024 – the annulment of the presidential elections.

With Nicușor Dan taking office at the Cotroceni Palace, public debate regarding the appointment of a director at SRI has intensified. 

Politicians in Romania have a complicated and non-transparent relationship with intelligence services, and compromises and lack of civilian control over them have become critical for the level of trust in state institutions within society.

The first question posed by reporters to the president at the press conference held on July 14 at the Cotroceni Palace was about appointing a new SRI director.

"...(the appointment will be made) within a relatively short time, we will see when we have parliamentary sessions, because, as you know, I make the proposal, and Parliament must vote on it," stated Nicușor Dan, the President of Romania.


The complicated issue is different. Quite complicated: we are heading towards the elections for the Mayor of Bucharest, and probably, the appointment of the heads of intelligence services will be made in the midst of the electoral campaign...

Andrei Țăranu, University Professor of Political Science, SNSPA

In recent days, there have been many discussions and speculations in TV shows, print media, and social networks about the possible future head of the country's largest intelligence agency.

The Appointment of Dacian Cioloș, a Smokescreen

"The proposal (for leading SRI - ed.), as you know, is made by the president, and of course, being... at this delicate moment, I do not wish to play games, to propose people whom Parliament might reject. I will consult with the parties, but the appointment, constitutionally, is made by the president," Nicușor Dan further explained at the press conference.

BUCURESTI - BEC - REPER - DEPUNERE SEMNATURI ALEGE
SPECULATIONS. Dacian Cioloș' name has been frequently mentioned in recent weeks in discussions regarding the appointment of a new SRI director - Photo: Andreea Alexandru/ Mediafax/ Hepta.ro

In recent days, there has been intense talk about the possible appointment of Dacian Cioloș, former Prime Minister and presidential adviser to Ilie Bolojan, to the position of SRI director.

According to a political source consulted for writing this article, there has been no discussion between President Nicușor Dan and Dacian Cioloș on this matter.

The Dacian Cioloș at SRI episode bears a striking resemblance to one that occurred a few weeks ago when there was intense discussion about the possible appointment of Judge Corina Corbu, former head of the High Court of Cassation and Justice, to the Constitutional Court, an appointment that was also to be made by President Nicușor Dan.

Speculations, however, indicate the existence of a competition between influential groups attempting through various means to pressure the head of state.

67% of Romanian citizens feel in danger. And they feel in danger because no one protects them.
They do not trust that anyone protects them while the intelligence services are behind everything that smiles in the sun...

Andrei Țăranu, University Professor of Political Science, SNSPA

In this regard, the statement made by Nicușor Dan announcing consultations with the parties on this matter should be interpreted. 

In reality, the consultation will not be about names, as the president emphasized that the nomination attribute belongs to him, but rather it will be about sounding out party leaders to obtain reactions regarding the parliamentary vote on one proposal or another.

The Power of a President and the Connection with Intelligence Services

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THE NEED FOR REGULATION. Professor Andrei Țăranu, in an interview with Spotmedia.ro for this article, spoke about the urgent need for new laws governing the functioning of intelligence services in Romania - Photo: Facebook/ Andrei Țăranu/ ARCUB

There are so many discussions surrounding the appointment of the SRI chief because the power of a Romanian president extends based on how much intelligence services allow or do not allow, as stated by the political science expert in the interview given for this article.

"One of Romania's presidents, namely Ion Iliescu, was never under the control of the services, but rather they were under his control. Throughout his 3 mandates, he acted like a brave former member of the PCR, who knew that the Securitate was the watchdog of the single party and not the other way around," Professor Andrei Țăranu further declared.

some documents reach the CNSAS," the political analyst added, referring to the collaboration file with the Securitate of former President Traian Băsescu.

A Law on Intelligence Services Made by Civil Society and Independent Experts

And this is where this complicated relationship that the services have with the country's president comes in. This is why a new law on intelligence services should exist. It is imperative. It is more important than changing the Constitution... But a quick law that would address this huge mistrust that exists in society," Professor Andrei Țăranu further stated.

The story about VAT that is not collected is perceived by the public as being linked to certain firms affiliated with SRI and SIE, the political analyst further maintains.

Moreover, there is increasing talk about the existence of an excessive number of structures within the services. "In practice, we have services within other services. Intelligence services spying on other intelligence services," Professor Țăranu added.

World News - July 3, 2023
SECURITY BREACH. Eduard Hellvig resigned on July 3, 2023, and since then, Romania has had no director at SRI, the largest and most extensive intelligence service, in the conditions of a war unfolding at the border - Photo: Hepta.ro

He argues that "they have come to surveil each other, and this seems to have become their main activity."

He also states that the National Intelligence Academy is associated with a plagiarism scandal and is at the center of a major academic scandal, affecting the credibility of the entire system - both in the academic and journalistic environments. Furthermore, these institutions suffer from a chronic lack of transparency. They are not just "secret," but completely opaque, when in reality, they should be only "discreet."

Additionally, the expert argues that the current legislation needs to be radically amended. 

"The new law must be developed by civil society and independent experts, with no connection to the current system. No representative of the Romanian Intelligence Service or their associates should have access to the drafting process of the law. This reform must be carried out completely independently and, once finalized, rigorously implemented in practice," Professor Țăranu further stated for Spotmedia.ro.

All attempts to amend the legislation governing intelligence services have ended in resounding failures, mainly due to the fact that the projects were carried out by insiders or their associates, being strongly contested by public opinion.


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