REPORT AT A GLANCE
The Commission's overall assessment of the last five years recognizes that “many of the building blocks required” are in place, and the focus has shifted to ensuring that results are obtained. The legal system is substantially modernised, a national anti-corruption strategy exists and some track record has been acquired in implementation.
But the judiciary and administration in general have still not come up to standard. Change has been uneven and the necessary cultural shifts have been irregular and gradual. Not all government agencies work together, and the fight against corruption and conflicts of interest still faces obstacles.
Inconsistent jurisprudence, difficulties with enforcement and inefficient judicial processes are identified as widespread problems in judicial reform, and the response of the judiciary to challenges to integrity and accountability “has not been sufficient to rebuild public confidence”. The report speaks of “a lack of dynamism in addressing problems”.
In the fight against corruption, the report notes that high-level cases were lost through delay (no final convictions and imprisonment of prominent political figures occurred until 2011), and many high-level corruption cases involving local dignitaries such as prefects, presidents of county councils or mayors “continue to experience questionable delays and interruptions”. Meanwhile, a convincing track record of confiscating unjustified assets has not yet been achieved.
Although cases of corruption are “numerous” in areas of government activity such as tax administration, education, health and infrastructure investment, “risk analysis in these sectors has only recently started and only a few measures have been taken in areas that are the most corruption-prone and budget-sensitive”. The report also highlights “weaknesses in the implementation of public procurement legislation” as an important source of corruption and misuse of public funds.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES...
Thursday 12 July
Romania's Prime Minister Victor Ponta has meetings in Brussels with José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the European Council, and Graham Watson, representing the Liberal grouping in the European Parliament. He had already met Hannes Swoboda, the leader of the Socialist and Democrats group in the Parliament, and Martin Schulz, the president of the Parliament.
Friday 13 July
Romania's interim president, Crin Antonescu, describes the European Commission's demands as “an unacceptable and unimaginable overreach”.
Monday 16 July
Ponta writes to Barroso with a promise to meet all 11 demands. The Commission concludes that the pledge is too weak.
Antonescu revokes an emergency decree that would have made it easier to impeach the suspended president, Traian Ba?sescu, in a referendum on 29 July.
Tuesday 17 July
Ponta writes to Barroso again, with stronger commitments.
Wednesday 18 July
Commission issues a damning appraisal of Romania's efforts since 2007 to reform the judiciary and tackle corruption.
Romanian parliament votes on revoking changes to two laws – on referendums and the competence of the constitutional court – in response to Commission demands.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
29 July
Referendum to impeach Romania's President Traian Basescu.
September
Council of Ministers to discuss Romania's and Bulgaria's bid for membership of the Schengen zone of border-free travel.
November
Parliamentary elections in Romania.
Late 2012
Commission issues next monitoring report on Romania.
July 2013
Parliamentary elections in Bulgaria.
Late 2013
Commission issues next monitoring report on Bulgaria.
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