Romanian National Defense Strategy to Be Approved in Parliament, Stirs Controversy

The new Romanian National Defense Strategy for 2020-2024 was sent by president Klaus Iohannis to be approved in Parliament. Yet, the president’s draft already stirs controversy.

There are two main concerns regarding this draft.

The first one is about the fact that corruption is no longer viewed as a risk generating situation for the national security. The Romanian Intelligence Service, SRI, is no longer authorized to gather information about corruption cases and anti-corruption is moved to a secondary plan by its importance.

The second one is about naming Russia as a threat to the national security. This is something which Romania avoided in the past, even during the Crimea war. Now, the strategy to be discussed in the Parliament names Russia as a direct threat to Romania’s national security in the Black Sea region.

Some of the Opposition party leaders already criticized the strategy and declared they wouldn’t support it in the Parliament.