EPP and Renew Europe Push to Block Romania's EU Funds Over Controversial Law
EPP and Renew Europe leaders have called on the European Commission to withhold €770M in PNRR funds from Romania. The demand stems from a controversial amendment in Romania's integrity law, known as the 'Fritz amendment', which could retroactively remove Dominic Fritz from his position as Timisoara's mayor. The amendment, passed by the Romanian Parliament, has been criticized for violating EU law and the Romanian Constitution. The EC has been urged to act before the Romanian President promulgates the law. The deadline for reforms to access EU funds is August 31.
Leaders from the European People's Party (EPP) and Renew Europe have requested that the European Commission withhold €770 million in PNRR funds from Romania. This request, made on August 24, is due to a contentious amendment in Romania's integrity law, which could retroactively invalidate the mandate of Timisoara's mayor, Dominic Fritz.
Manfred Weber, leader of the EPP, and Valérie Hayer from Renew Europe, addressed a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They urged the Commission to withhold the funds unless the Romanian government retracts the amendment. The letter emphasized that the retroactive application of the law violates both EU law and the Romanian Constitution.
The amendment, introduced by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) into the National Integrity Agency (ANI) law, mandates that elected officials lose their positions within 30 days if found in conflict of interest or incompatibility, even for decisions made before the law's enactment. This could result in Dominic Fritz, the mayor of Timisoara and a USR leader, losing his position. The potential removal follows a ruling by Romania's High Court in June.
Weber and Hayer accused the Romanian Social Democrats of using the amendment to target Fritz. They stated, "Romanian Parliament has introduced a measure that directly violates Union law and constitutes a serious setback for the rule of law in Romania."
Valérie Hayer added, "European taxpayers' money must never become a blank check for political power games." Weber further argued, "If legislation is designed to remove a political opponent, and EU funds are used as use to enforce it, this is no longer just politics - it is a rule-of-law issue."
The Romanian Constitutional Court approved the 'Fritz amendment' with a 5-3 ruling. The Chamber of Deputies adopted the amended law with votes from PSD, PNL, and UDMR, though it still requires Senate approval and President Nicușor Dan's promulgation. President Dan has previously criticized the amendment.
Dominic Fritz has announced plans to challenge the decision at the European Court of Human Rights. He argues that the measure applies to past actions, contravening the Romanian Constitution. Supporters of the law claim that its adoption is important for securing EU funding, despite its retroactive nature. The European Commission has been urged to signal its position before the Romanian President promulgates the law. The deadline for Romania to implement reforms to access the EU funds is August 31.
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