Romanian parties clash over integrity law risking 770 million euros in EU funds

Legislative standoff over the integrity bill

The Romanian Chamber of Deputies approved a revised integrity bill on 24 August 2026 with 183 votes in favor, 84 against, and three abstentions. The Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Liberal Party (PNL) voted in favor of the legislation, while the Save Romania Union (USR) and the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) voted against it. The bill had returned to Parliament following a ruling by the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) and introduced public financial interest sheets to replace traditional wealth declarations. In response to provisions that could terminate local mandates, USR submitted an alternative legislative proposal on 25 August 2026. Specialized committee meetings in the Senate were postponed to 26 August 2026 ahead of the final legislative deadline on 31 August 2026.

European intervention on recovery funds

The domestic dispute reached Brussels after European People's Party (EPP) leader Manfred Weber and Renew Europe leader Valérie Hayer sent a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The two leaders requested Commission intervention and asked that the disbursement of 770 million euros under Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) be conditioned on amending the contested integrity rules. USR Senate leader Sorin Șipoș characterized the alternative draft as a safety net to prevent Romania from losing recovery funds and facing rule-of-law sanctions similar to Hungary.

In the form adopted by the Chamber of Deputies, the ANI Law does not pass the requirements of the European Commission and we risk not only losing the money from not reaching the milestones assumed through the PNRR, but also other more serious sanctions.

Disputed mandate terms and local officials

The controversy focuses on an amendment to the National Integrity Agency (ANI) framework that opponents refer to as the anti-Fritz provision. USR argues the amendment aims to unseat Timișoara mayor Dominic Fritz, who received conflict of interest rulings from two judicial instances. PSD officials rejected claims of political targeting, stating that the law complies with constitutional court requirements and will result in the removal of 47 other local elected officials found in situations of incompatibility or conflict of interest. USR representatives stated that the framework must uphold non-retroactivity, uniform application, and the modernization of prevention mechanisms.

Political parties trade accusations of hypocrisy

The PSD delegation in the European Parliament criticized PNL and USR for bringing domestic political disputes before European institutions. PSD noted that PNL lawmakers voted for the integrity bill in Bucharest while their European affiliate, the EPP, challenged the same measure in Brussels. PSD representatives also stated that while in opposition, they provided votes to fulfill PNRR legislative milestones and that party interests must not jeopardize European funds for Romania. PSD MEP Gabriela Firea stated that Romania will not negotiate its rule of law with external partners.

Maintaining in office a mayor proven to have been in a conflict of interest, in defiance of final court decisions, does not mean the rule of law.

Firea affirmed that PSD will vote for the Constitutional Court-approved version when the bill reaches the Senate floor.