Romanian PM Says Parliament Must OK Criminal Probe On Ministers

“The Prime Minister agrees with this principle taking into consideration the fact that government members receive Parliament’s vote of confidence. This derives from the fundamental principal of parliamentary democracy, that regards a balance and mutual control of powers,” said Camelia Spataru, spokesperson with the Executive.

Senate president Nicolaie Vacaroiu also said, in a letter addressed to Gheorghe Mocuta, secretary of state with the Justice Ministry, that Senate needs to decide on the start of criminal investigation against senators Paul Pacuraru and Codrut Seres.

President Basescu last week asked interim justice minister Teodor Melescanu to start criminal investigation against eight current and former ministers. The eight dignitaries are: Adrian Nastase, former prime minister between 2000 and 2004, Miron Mitrea, former transportation minister between 2000-2004, former justice minister Tudor Chiuariu, acting labor minister Paul Pacuraru, acting IT&C minister Zsolt Nagy, politician Victor Babiuc, former economy minister Codrut Seres and former agriculture minister Traian Decebal Remes.

Basescu on Monday urged Melescanu to send the notices on the start of criminal investigation against eight high-ranking officials to the Prosecutors’ Office or he might be accused of abuse of office.

Meleşcanu on Tuesday sent to the prosecutors, as requested by the presidency, the files on starting criminal investigation against eight former and acting ministers but refused to take any responsibility in the case.