The appointment of the heads of SRI and SIE, analyzed by Traian Băsescu: “It will be very difficult for Nicușor Dan/ I allowed myself”
Traian Băsescu, in the Parliament, on May 26, at the swearing-in ceremony as president by Nicușor Dan. Photo: Inquam Photos / Adriana Neagoe
The former president Traian Băsescu believes, regarding the appointment of the heads of the SRI and SIE, that the president Nicusor Dan must find some people of character. Băsescu recalled that he gave the head of the SRI to a PSD representative, George Maior. The former president believes that it will be more difficult for Nicusor Dan to appoint whom he would like and for this reason he is entering into a negotiation, informs News.ro.
Traian Băsescu was asked, on Sunday, on Digi 24, what the president Nicusor Dan should do in relation to the appointment of the heads of SRI and SIE and how he should negotiate in this situation.
“They should find some people of character. For example, me, in order to close any discussion, no one asked me, no one dared to ask me, but I gave the SRI to a representative of the PSD. (…) Maior was a PSD deputy. It is true, from the Cluj wing, a more reformist wing than the PSD. And I looked at what Maior wrote about his activity. He had been at the Ministry of Defense and it seemed to me a good solution. Twice I called Geoană to convince him to give me Maior”, said Băsescu.
He was asked if the same thing will happen now.
“I had a party that had won the elections – the DA Alliance, while Nicusor Dan does not have a party. So he may have a different approach. For me, it would have been no problem to pass any name through the Parliament at that time. It will be very difficult for Nicusor Dan, so I think that is why he enters into a negotiation. I allowed myself, because I had a majority in the Parliament”, explained Traian Băsescu.
He was asked if this negotiation includes the one for the heads of the prosecutor's offices.
“It would be an innovation to widen the spectrum of negotiations, but he must fight for the rights given to him by the Constitution and the legislation in the case of prosecutors. It is a decision of the Constitutional Court that says that he is allowed to refuse once. No, the president will refuse whenever he deems it necessary”, emphasized Traian Băsescu.
The post of civil director of the SRI has been vacant since July 2023 when Eduard Hellvig resigned. The service is now led by first deputy Răzvan Ionescu. At SIE, director is Gabriel Vlase, former PSD deputy, since 2018.
