President Nicusor Dan declared on Monday that he has a „short list” of people who could take over the leadership of the intelligence services.

He mentioned, on Antena 3, that discussions with political leaders on this subject had been initiated, but he did not want to provide any other details.

„It’s a discussion with the party leaders, that’s what I can tell you. It’s a serious discussion. Precisely because of the trust I have in them, I don’t want to damage it by statements I make in public,” he said.

Regarding the decision to recall Marius-Gabriel Lazurca from his position as ambassador to the United Mexican States, Nicusor Dan stated that his „professional usefulness” would be greater in Bucharest than abroad.

„Mr. Lazurca is a person I trust, he is a person I have known for a long time. I believe he can help a lot from a central position. What that position is… we will see. His professional usefulness is greater in Bucharest than in an ambassadorial position,” said the president.

Nicusor Dan stated that he has known Marius-Gabriel Lazurca for a long time, with whom he organized a political seminar in Paris in 1997-1998 for Romanians studying there.

However, he did not specify whether he intends to appoint Lazurca to the SIE.

„I called him to take a position in Bucharest. That is my intention. Further, on the services, SRI, SIE, until we reach an agreement, until we finalize the discussion with the majority parties, I will say absolutely nothing,” he specified.

The president opined that the head of an intelligence service should be a balanced person who „has worked with people for a long time.” There should also be no doubts about the person’s honesty, he said.

AGERPRES