The interim chairperson of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Ilie Bolojan, emphasized on Friday that ensuring transparency is an essential element for regaining trust in institutions.

According to him, follwing the publication of the reasoning of the Romanian Constitutional Court’s (CCR) decision on asset declarations, it is necessary to analyse what modifications can be made in order to ensure transparency and public access to relevant information.

„I have not commented, in general, on the decisions of the Constitutional Court or the courts. Even if, at European level, there is no standard procedure regarding the transparency of asset declarations, the experience gained in Romania in recent years shows that the transparency of the publication of these declarations, when you hold a public office, has been a gain. Ensuring transparency is an essential element for regaining trust in institutions. In addition, there are many areas in public institutions where things have gotten out of control – from the accumulation of earnings to unjustified allowances – and the transparency of the declaration acts as a kind of brake to prevent steps out of line. We see, unfortunately, what is happening in some state-owned companies, where the earnings ‘have been made secret’,” Bolojan wrote on Facebook.

He emphasized that, in any system, transparency is an effective administrative tool that limits corruption.

„After the publication of the reasoning of the Constitutional Court’s decision, the situation needs to be analysed to see to what extent the necessary modifications can be made to continue to ensure transparency and public access to relevant information. I will support this. At the same time, it is important to build a culture of transparency, not only through clear regulations, but also through their consistent application and through additional measures to strengthen integrity in the public sector. The next period must bring a sustained effort in this direction,” added the interim PNL leader.

The Constitutional Court has decided that the declarations of wealth and interests will no longer be published on the website of the National Integrity Agency (ANI) nor on the online pages of other public institutions. At the same time, these declarations should no longer include the income and assets of spouses and children.

AGERPRES