About: Klaus Iohannis
Romania’s Commissioner and former PM quit ruling Social Democrats
Former prime minister Mihai Tudose has followed Commissioner Corina Crețu quitting Romania's ruling Social Democrats (PSD) further weakening the parliamentary grip of the party and its leader, Liviu Dragnea.
Dreams of Schengen haunt Romania’s EU presidency bow
Romania should be granted membership of the Schengen passport-free travel zone during its EU presidency stint, according to European Parliament President Antonio Tajani. But persistent concerns about the rule of law mean it is far from a done deal.
Romania glosses over presidency preparedness concerns
As Romania formally launched its six-month-long presidency of the EU, its foreign affairs chief insisted that the country was prepared to helm the Council ship for the very first time.
Romania’s new anti-corruption chief steps down
The interim head of Romania's anti-corruption agency said Tuesday (8 January) she was stepping down, citing a "hostile environment", just as the country takes on the EU's presidency.
Romanian president to try to block government pardons
Romania's centre-right President Klaus Iohannis said Tuesday (18 December) that he will invite himself to meetings of the left-wing cabinet in order to prevent it passing proposed criminal pardons that could benefit prominent politicians.
Jourova: EU expects Romania to manage its presidency without hiccups
Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová made it clear today (26 October) that the EU is worried about government attempts in Bucharest to violate the independence of the judiciary, also in the perspective of the upcoming Romanian EU Presidency.
Romania urged to heed rule of law before assuming EU presidency
The European Union on Tuesday warned Romania to respect EU democratic values before it assumes the bloc's rotating presidency in January, or risk undermining its bid to join Europe's passport-free zone.
Romanian anti-corruption prosecutors targeted by new work requirements
Romanian prosecutors said they feared for their jobs and the rule of law after a new government ordinance increasing the years of professional experience required of them was published Tuesday (16 October).
Juncker: We are not ‘under the rule’ of English
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker made a point of delivering his plenary speech at the Three Seas Initiative forum in Bucharest in French, bucking the trend of other world leaders attending the event on Tuesday (September 18).
Trump lawyer denounces ‘excesses’ of Romania’s anti-corruption efforts
US President Donald Trump’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has written a letter to Romania’s president, accusing the Eastern European country’s anticorruption efforts of going too far and calling for amnesty for those already prosecuted and convicted.
Facing criticism, Romania’s strongman Dragnea denounces assassination plot
Faced with criticism of police violence against a massive anti-corruption protest, Romania's ruling party strongman Liviu Dragnea has raised eyebrows with a string of bizarre, unsubstantiated claims including a "failed coup" and an assassination plot.
Romania adopts offshore energy law, angers majors
Romania’s Chamber of Deputies voted in favour of a new offshore law on Monday evening (10 July) that will impose taxes on oil and gas companies operating in the Black Sea. The ruling party's controversial leader insisted it will help cut reliance on Russian energy imports but oil companies said it might deter new investments.
Romania’s president removes chief anti-corruption prosecutor
Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis sacked chief anti-corruption prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi on Monday (9 July) to honour a constitutional court ruling which Kövesi said may leave prosecutors exposed to political interference.
Romania Constitutional Court orders President to sack chief anti-graft prosecutor
Romania’s Constitutional Court decided on Wednesday (30 May) that President Klaus Iohannis must dismiss the chief prosecutor of the Anticorruption Directorate (DNA), who has been praised by Brussels and Washington for tackling corruption.
Romania’s president denounces PM as ‘unfit’ for office
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis called on Prime Minister Viorica Dancila to resign on Friday (27 April) after she endorsed a secret deal to move the country's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and refused to attend a meeting to resolve other ongoing disputes.
Report: Romania to break ranks with EU by moving embassy to Jerusalem
The Romanian government will follow the United States and transfer its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) leader said Thursday (19 April). “The decision has been taken (…), the procedures are beginning,” Liviu Dragnea told...
Romania’s former EU Commissioner starts new political party
Romania's former EU Agriculture Commissioner, Dacian Cioloș, who also briefly headed a technocratic government in 2016, has started a new political party just as the country gears up for presidential elections next year and parliamentary elections in 2020.
For Romania’s president, the ‘Road to Sibiu’ could also lead to Brussels
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis is being considered as a possible replacement for European Council President Donald Tusk when his term expires in December 2019, according to local media reports.
Timmermans urges Romania to avoid ‘wrong’ turn in law reform
The vice-president of the European Commission Frans Timmermans urged Romania yesterday (1 March) not to "run in the wrong direction" over controversial judicial reforms.
Romanian judicial watchdog rejects bid to dismiss anti-graft chief
Romania’s judicial watchdog rejected yesterday (27 February) an application by the justice minister to sack the country's main anti-corruption prosecutor, bolstering her case days after protesters massed in the streets to support her work.
Romanian minister calls for prosecutor’s sacking, graft crackdown under threat
Romania's Justice Minister called on Thursday for the country's chief anti-corruption prosecutor to be dismissed for "excess of authority", triggering street protests and potentially destabilising a crackdown on graft.
New S&D figurehead: We expect the Romanian justice minister to speak in plenary
Maria João Rodrigues, who is emerging as the most prominent figurehead in the European Parliament's S&D group, made it plain on Thursday (1 February) that her political group is quite critical of its Romanian affiliate member, the ruling social-democrat PSD.
Romanian president says will stand up for courts’ independence
Romania's President Klaus Iohannis told the European Union on Wednesday (31 January) he would fight for the independence of his country's courts, which he and Brussels say is threatened by draft laws prepared by the Social Democrat-led government.