Romanian President Nicușor Dan Challenges Bear Hunting Quota Doubling

President Nicușor Dan lodged a constitutional complaint against a draft law that would double Romania's brown‑bear hunting quota. The proposal, backed by the RMDSZ parliamentary group and presented by Csoma Botond, sets an annual kill limit of 859 bears, up from the previous quota, citing genetic population estimates of 10,000‑12,000 animals. Dan argues the measure breaches the Romanian Constitution and EU law, lacks scientific proof of overpopulation, and should be regulated by the environment ministry rather than the legislature. The bill was approved by the Chamber on 22 April. Dan also notes that previous bear attacks have caused numerous injuries and fatalities, urging non‑lethal measures such as conflict‑reduction programs, which have already reduced human‑bear incidents in areas like Tusnad.