An accident with political implications

Romanian Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea says he wont step down in spite of a suggestion from president Klaus Iohannis.

Daniela Budu, 27.10.2015, 13:27

Romanian Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel Oprea announced he would not step down after the death of a policeman in his motorcade. Romanian president Klaus Iohannis advised Oprea to resign for the faulty way in which he handled the situation. Oprea said he wasnt guilty adding that he was using the motorcade for job-related purposes. Oprea spoke about the moment of the tragedy.

“At a certain point, the motorcade stopped and I didnt know why at first. I didnt see the accident. I only saw the police car in front stopped and the two policemen getting off and running. One of them waved to me and said we could carry on and the car I was in moved on. After we passed the site of the accident I learnt what was actually going on.

After the tragic accident, president Iohannis, society in Romania and the political leaders have called on Oprea to explain why he was using the motorcade, while the Prosecutors Office has commenced investigation for manslaughter. The Liberal opposition has called on Prime Minister Victor Ponta to explain in his Parliament address next Monday when exactly high-ranking politicians have the right to use a motorcade. The National Liberal Party wants to set up an investigation committee to look into the circumstances of the accident. Liberal leader Eugen Nicolaescu believes that citizens are entitled to know the truth.

“I believe that in the end all the citizens of this country are interested in learning the truth about the accident. Well be tabling a draft bill to the Chamber of Deputies on setting up an investigation committee so that it will be discussed in the Permanent Bureau on Wednesday afternoon and that the right procedures may be started.

The National Liberals have tabled a simple motion against minister Gabriel Oprea. Social Democratic leader Liviu Dragnea said that prosecutors have all the information to establish the truth. He admitted though that the delay in the information provided by Interior Ministry was the result of a communication error.

“As for the resignations, this is a decision that rests with those who have the power to dismiss the people in question. As for whether the political support should be withdrawn, the answer is very clear: if the Prime Minister believes that Deputy Prime Minister Gabriel Oprea must be sacked, he has the constitutional instruments to do that.

Almost one thousand people took to the streets of Bucharest on Sunday in support for the family of the deceased policeman calling on minister Oprea to step down.