Prefect Paul Finta Defends Salary Cut for Timișoara Mayor Dominic Fritz Amid Criminal Complaint

On 4 August, Timiș County Prefect Paul Finta ordered a 10 percent reduction in the indemnity of Timișoara Mayor Dominic Fritz for six months, invoking Law 176/2010 and the administrative code after a court ruling declared Fritz in a conflict of interest. Finta said the decision was “in accordance with the law” and that he “has nothing to fear”. The move triggered a wave of public criticism, calls for his resignation and a criminal complaint filed by politician Cristian Popescu Piedone to the National Anticorruption Directorate. Piedone argued that “the law must be applied, not interpreted” and that the prefect should have terminated Fritz’s mandate rather than merely reducing his salary. The complaint alleges abuse of office under article 297 of the penal code and requests a review of whether the prefect’s action complied with the relevant statutes. DNA prosecutors will assess the allegations.