Romania: Political tensions rise over budget and intelligence service accusations

Romania is facing significant political friction following the inauguration of Luca Niculescu’s government. Sorin Grindeanu, leader of the PSD, has called for a transparent presentation of the country’s current financial situation in Parliament before any budget rectification occurs. He noted that the state faces substantial financial pressures, including approximately 3 billion euros in unbilled construction works and 5 billion lei in court-ordered payments.

Simultaneously, the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) issued a sharp rebuttal to former Prime Minister Ludovic Orban. Orban had accused the SRI of being led illegally and suggested the agency provided political guarantees to President Nicușor Dan regarding PSD support. The SRI dismissed these claims as “unfounded and suburban,” asserting that its leadership and activities remain strictly within constitutional and legal boundaries.

In opposition, USR President Dominic Fritz criticized the new Cabinet’s structure, alleging that the PSD is exerting undue control over Prime Minister Niculescu. Fritz pointed to the addition of several ministers and secretaries of state as evidence of PSD’s influence, claiming the Prime Minister will lack true decision-making autonomy.