Ombudsman Ciorbea to respond, justify answer to Opposition issues

Ombudsman Victor Ciorbea declared that he will provide motivated solutions to all the important issues of the Opposition this week or early next week at the latest.

He mentioned this on Monday, answering questions on a government emergency ordinance that allowed elected local officials to change parties without losing their positions; the Education Law and the ownership of the port of Constanta (southeastern Romania, at the Black Sea) are other controversial topics he would address, he said.

'A lot of work has been done and goes on for editing (...) All the important issues of the Opposition — I've tried and will try to give solutions and motivations to them this week or early next week at the latest,' Ciorbea said.

A journalist observed this would involve notifying the Constitutional Court on Government Emergency Ordinance 55/2014 on political migration. Ciorbea answered, 'No. You'll see what I do. The motivation is possible also without a notification, but you will get written answers to each issue, with the solution adopted and its motivation.'

As regards people picketing the Ombudsman's office, Ciorbea said he is not bothered.

'I'm glad they're there, they don't bother me, as long as they don't get too noisy. (...) I expect them to be as discreet as possible; otherwise, they're welcome, no problem. I see, however, that both the Municipality of Bucharest and the Gendarmerie issue authorizations on one or two months; why don't they make them permanent? At least we'd know where we stand, we would give up security guards and have them — they're more pleasant and younger,' the ombudsman concluded.AGERPRES