Appointing the Head of Romania’s Intelligence Service: Adrian Zuckerman Urges Presidential Leadership and Institutional Independence

The appointment of the head of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) appears to be at an impasse, as President Nicușor Dan needs the support of political parties in Parliament in order to secure approval for his preferred candidate. More recently, sources have reported that the Social Democratic Party (PSD) wants this key position for itself and has allegedly put forward two possible candidates: former Prime Minister Mihai Tudose—who infamously fled when the Prime Minister of Japan visited Romania—and Claudiu Manda, the husband of Olguța Vasilescu, who, according to the press, has distinguished himself through inactivity in the European Parliament. What does recommend him, however, are his vitriolic statements against Prime Minister Bolojan.

In the view of former U.S. Ambassador Adrian Zuckerman, Nicușor Dan should not engage in negotiations but should decide whom he wants and formally put that person forward. If Parliament then refuses to approve the nominee, the parties should explain to the nation why they voted against him.

The leadership of the intelligence services should not be a party matter or a political bargaining chip, Zuckerman emphasized to The Epoch Times, but a position held in service of Romania.

“I have confidence that President Nicușor Dan will appoint the best possible person to lead the intelligence services. What I do not understand is this idea that political parties decide who gets these positions. As I understand it, Romanian law does not work that way. It is very similar to the system in the United States, where the president decides whom to appoint to such positions, and then the Senate must approve. So, in my opinion, if I were advising President Nicușor Dan, I would tell him to find the best person for the leadership of the services and appoint that person. If someone in Parliament—a party or another—does not like the nominee, they should vote against him and explain why.

This should not be a political matter. The job is not a political job, and it is a mistake to turn it into one. This must be a job for Romania, not for political parties.

Because attempts are being made to politicize these positions, Romanians are losing trust in the intelligence services, in the judicial system, and in many other government institutions. Once in government, in my opinion, leaders must do what is good for Romania, not what is good for a party—PSD, PNL, or any other party. Many forget this, especially the PSD.

I must also add that it is time to end all the remnants left over from the communist era, which collapsed in 1989. The party that primarily supports these remnants is the PSD. This must stop. We must put an end to the 1,400 state-owned companies, we must have a fair judicial system free of political influence, and the same applies to the intelligence services. The heads of these services must be free of political influence so that people can have trust,” Zuckerman told The Epoch Times.