Nicușor Dan says “very direct”: “I had an influence of SRI in our political life, in decisions, in the economic area”
President Nicușor Dan refused on Thursday night to confirm if he will nominate Marius Lazurca and Gabriel Zbârcea in the management of the main intelligence services of the country, but he made an unexpected statement: “We say very directly, we had an influence of the SRI in our political life, in the decisions, in the economic area, in the Romanian area, in the Romanian area, in the Romanian area, in the Romanian area,”.
Asked, in an interview with the Digi24 position, how he explains the increased interest in the public space for the nominations he will make in the leadership of SRI and SIE, the president replied: “Because, we say very directly, I had an influence, less of the SIE, but I had an influence of the SRI in our political life, in the Romanian area, in the Romanian area. Of course, we have to do two things: on the one hand, that the operative side is not shaken, because they are very serious security issues that this service deals with.
Question when he will make the nominations for the head of the two secret services, the head of state said: “At the right time. Because it is a dialogue between the president and the coalition parties, between the coalition parties and at the time this discussion will not overlap with other discussions that are equally important for our stability, we will have it.”
At the insistence of the moderator if by such a statement confirms that the two names represent the proposals he will make, Nicușor Dan has been limited: “You only understand that at the right time, the discussion between me and parties will take place, more than that I cannot say.”
Marius Lazurca, recalled from the position of ambassador: “I called him to occupy a position in Bucharest”
Last week, on September 15, the President of Romania signed the decree of recall Marius Lazurca from the position of ambassador in Mexico, at the end of the 4 -year term.
Lazurca's name was recently conveyed for the management of the Foreign Intelligence Service.
Lazurca is in the position of ambassador in Mexico from 2021, so the usual mandate of 4 years has been completed. Marius Lazurca (54 years old), a career diplomat, was also an ambassador to the Vatican and Hungary.
In an interview subsequently granted on September 15, Antena 3 CNN television, the President of Romania was asked about the recall of Marius Lazurca from the post in Mexico.
“Lazurca is a person I trust, I have known her for a long time. I think she can help more from a central position. What will be that, we will see,” Dan replied.
The moderator Antena 3 repeated the question, insisting on the president the answer to the question: “Did you call him for the SIE chief?”. “I called him to occupy a position in Bucharest. Further on services, until we complete the discussion with the majority parties, I will not say anything,” added Nicușor Dan.
For the head of the SRI, the most recent name taken into account is lawyer Gabriel Zbârcea, G4Media wrote.
Asked, on August 31, about the names conveyed for the head of intelligence services, President Nicușor Dan replied that all the discussion on this topic “is relative”. “When there will be an agreement between me and representatives you will find out,” said the head of state at that time.
Now “we are at the level of speculation,” he added. Asked about the names already conveyed in the public space, the president refused to confirm or deny the names.
The head of state said: “When I make the official proposal, I will be sure that the Parliament will vote.”
In June, President Nicușor Dan said in a press conference that a civil director at SRI is needed and that “a new SIE director is very likely.”
