Scrapped anti-corruption body too effective

The Constitutional Court in Romania adaopted a controversial decision in April 2010 which reduces the powers of the Romanian anti-corruption watchdog, the National Integrity Agency (ANI). The ANI had been established at the EU's insistence to crack down on corruption in Romania. Seven of the Constitutional Court's nine judges are being investigated by the ANI.

EurActiv, 19.4.10: Court decision could 'negatively affect' Romania's EU position http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/court-decision-could-negatively-affect-romania-s-eu-position-news-460876

ESO: Background information: Report on Progress under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in Romania http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-report-on-progress-under-the-co-operation-and-verification-mechanism-in-romania-2/

EurActiv, 23.4.10: Romanian anti-corruption watchdog ‘stifled’ http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/romanian-anti-corruption-watchdog-stifled-news-473572

European Commission: SPEECH/10/176: Statement following the meeting with the President of Romania Traian Basescu http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/10/176&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

---