Nicușor Dan Signs Romania's Integrity Law to Secure €770 Million in EU Funds

Presidential approval under European funding deadlines

President Nicușor Dan promulgated Romania's amended integrity law on 28 August 2026, opting against returning the measure to Parliament for re-examination. The head of state explained that delaying or vetoing the bill would have jeopardized 770 million euros in European Union funding tied to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). With the institutional compliance deadline set for 31 August 2026, Dan signed the text hours after its arrival at Cotroceni Palace, despite maintaining legal objections previously submitted to the Constitutional Court. In his prior challenge, the president had argued that integrity updates cannot justify arbitrary provisions that sabotage their intended legislative purpose.

In another context, where there would not have been the risk of losing PNRR funds due to the non-adoption of this law and there would have been the necessary time for debate, I would have returned the project to Parliament for re-examination. We cannot afford not to access these funds, nor can I accept a new blow to Romania's external credibility.

The Fritz amendment and mandate termination

The legislation includes a contested provision requiring elected officials and public dignitaries to forfeit their mandates within 30 days if they face a definitive finding of incompatibility or conflict of interest. The rule applies retroactively to judicial verdicts issued before the statute takes effect, directly impacting Dominic Fritz, the mayor of Timișoara and president of the Save Romania Union (USR). Fritz lost a final court case against the National Integrity Agency (ANI) at the High Court of Cassation and Justice in June 2026, which established a conflict of interest. On 17 August 2026, the Constitutional Court, led by Simina Tănăsescu, upheld the clause following appeals from USR and the National Liberal Party (PNL), while rejecting an Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) amendment on partner asset declarations. Fritz warned that he intends to appeal the decision to the European Court of Human Rights.

Senate passage and revised disclosure standards

The Senate adopted the reform on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, serving as the decisive decision-making chamber. Lawmakers backed the statutory text with 106 votes in favor and 19 against. Beyond mandate forfeitures, the law replaces detailed asset and interest declarations published prior to May 2025 with public financial interest sheets. Under the new framework, the National Integrity Agency will display cumulative asset values grouped into financial ranges starting from 1,000 to 25,000 euros up to brackets exceeding 500,000 euros. The disclosure forms will no longer enumerate specific items, such as individual vehicle counts, apartments, or land parcels, nor will they identify company names, corporate headquarters countries, or share acquisition methods.

Autumn parliamentary review requested

Following promulgation, Dan formally called on lawmakers to reopen and deepen debates over the integrity legal framework during the autumn parliamentary session, which begins on 1 September 2026. The president noted that anti-corruption and integrity frameworks require precise statutory wording that removes ambiguities and political controversies. The legislation now proceeds to publication in the Official Gazette of Romania, triggering the 30-day countdown for mandate cessations.

Integrity is far too important a subject for society and must be translated into a law that is beyond any suspicion and interpretation.