The President of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Ilie Bolojan, stated on Friday, after the Constitutional Court’s decision regarding asset declarations, that an analysis needs to be conducted to ensure continued transparency and public access to relevant information.
According to him, „the transparency of the declaration acts as a kind of brake to prevent overstepping the line.”
"I generally do not comment on the decisions of the Constitutional Court or the courts. Even though there is no unified procedure at the European level regarding the transparency of asset declarations, the experience accumulated in Romania over these years shows that the public transparency of these declarations when holding a public position has been a gain.
Additionally, there are numerous areas within public institutions where things have gotten out of control – from the accumulation of earnings to unjustified allowances – and the transparency of the declaration acts as a kind of brake to prevent overstepping the line. Unfortunately, we see what is happening in some state-owned companies, where earnings 'have been kept secret'," stated Ilie Bolojan in a Facebook post on Friday.
According to him, transparency is an efficient administrative tool that limits corruption in any system.
"After the publication of the Constitutional Court's decision reasoning, it is necessary to analyze the situation to see to what extent the necessary changes can be made to ensure continued transparency and public access to relevant information. I will support this," he added.
At the same time, it is important to build a culture of transparency, not only through clear regulations but also through their consistent application and additional measures to strengthen integrity in the public sector. The upcoming period must bring sustained efforts in this direction," Bolojan conveyed.
CCR Decision
The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) decided on Thursday that public officials and dignitaries are no longer required to include their spouses' assets or incomes in their asset and interest declarations.
Furthermore, the CCR declared unconstitutional the article of the law that requires the publication of declarations on the National Integrity Agency's website.
The ruling is final, cannot be appealed, and becomes mandatory for all state institutions.
President Nicușor Dan reacted on Thursday evening in a Facebook post, stating that "the surprising decision of the Constitutional Court contradicts an essential principle of democracy – transparency in the exercise of public functions."
- Reactions to the CCR Decision. USR says asset declarations were "water pistols" and proposes a quick revision of legislation. Nicușor Dan sees a contradiction
- Nicușor Dan on the CCR Decision: If the law prohibits ANI from publishing, I will put the asset declaration on the Presidency's page
- CCR's explanations for the decision on asset declarations and how it contradicts a decision from 11 years ago. ANI's reaction
He believes that "citizens' access to information regarding the asset declarations of dignitaries is a guarantee of integrity and responsibility in the public space, and this principle must be staunchly defended."
"If the decision's reasoning identifies technical deficiencies within the current legislative framework, it is the responsibility of Parliament to promptly correct them," the president further stated.