Liviu Dragnea

Romania's ambassador to the US George Maior said on Tuesday that he was being heard at the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) as a witness in a case related to indicted politician Liviu Dragnea's visit to the US, adding that he had a "very pleasant" discussion with prosecutors.

The Romanian Constitutional Court on Monday declared controversial criminal code reforms passed by government decree unconstitutional, saying the changes did not respect previous rulings issued by the court.

The amendments backed by the Social Democratic Party-led government included reducing jail terms and the statute of limitations for some corruption-related crimes.

Romania's highest court ruled on Thursday that a ban on amnesties and pardons for corrupt politicians would infringe the "fundamental rights" of anyone amnestied or pardoned, as presidential pardons are mainly given on health and humanitarian grounds.

The proposed ban was supported by more than 80 per cent of people who voted in a nationwide referendum on justice issues in May.

Chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL) Ludovic Orban believes that Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has a duty to implement all the recommendations issued by GRECO, the Venice Commission and the European Commission. "Premier Vasilica Viorica Dancila behaves as if she is still led by Liviu Dragnea [former Social Democratic Party leader, ed.n.].

Romania's main opposition National Liberal Party, PNL, filed a motion of no-confidence on Wednesday in the Social Democrat-led government over its controversial agenda of justice reforms. The motion will be debated in parliament from next Tuesday.

Since the jailing of the former leader of the ruling Social Democrats, PSD, and de facto chief of government, Liviu Dragnea, for corruption on May 27, the government in Romania led by Viorica Dancila has been trying to rebrand itself and shed the damaging heritage that Dragnea left behind.

"I haven't had any contact with anyone (politicians) and I don't intend to leave the legal profession," the 46-year-old said.

"The only candidacy I am interested in is that of European chief public prosecutor."

Government attacks

A Romanian woman holds a portrait of Laura Codruta Kovesi in downtown Bucharest, Romania, 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/ROBERT GHEMENT

At a plenary session on Wednesday, the Chamber of Deputies passed draft decisions to vacate the positions so far held by Liviu Dragnea, including the Chamber's speakership. The decisions were unanimously adopted. The Judiciary Committee of the Chamber of Deputies passed the two draft resolutions on Tuesday.

The National Standing Bureau of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) decided on Tuesday to endorse Carmen Mihalcescu for acting speaker of the Chamber of Deputies. According to some party sources, Mihalcescu will be endorsed to lead the Chamber of Deputies in an acting capacity until the election of a full-time speaker.

The Romanian Supreme Court on Monday sentenced Social Democratic Party leader Liviu Dragnea  - also president of the Chamber of Deputies - to three-and-a-half years in jail for illegal employment in Teleorman District, back when he chaired the county council in 2013.