Radu Marinescu and Vladimir Tismăneanu clash over integrity law

A heated political dispute has emerged in Romania between PSD deputy and former Justice Minister Radu Marinescu and political scientist Vladimir Tismăneanu regarding amendments to the integrity law.

The conflict follows a decision by the Constitutional Court, which ruled that a contested provision—concerning the termination of mandates for officials declared incompatible or in a conflict of interest—is constitutional. Tismăneanu publicly identified Marinescu as the individual responsible for promoting the amendment, which could impact the mandate of Timișoara Mayor Dominic Fritz.

Marinescu responded by criticizing Tismăneanu’s character and family history, making personal remarks regarding Tismăneanu’s parents' communist past. Marinescu defended his actions as following democratic procedures and the rule of law, while accusing Tismăneanu of attacking the legal profession and parliamentary processes because the outcomes do not align with his personal views.