Cătălin Drulă accuses the Romanian Intelligence Service of intimidation and “anti-democratic reflexes” after the agency’s reaction to Ludovic Orban’s statements: “A democracy cannot function with services ‘out of control’”

Former USR president and deputy speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Cătălin Drulă accuses the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) of “anti-democratic reflexes” after the institution publicly responded to statements by former Prime Minister Ludovic Orban. Drulă claims that SRI’s message represents an attack on an opposition politician and an attempt at intimidation.

In a Facebook post, the deputy says that the agency’s statement “in the dead of night” should trigger alarm bells and criticizes the alleged veiled threats in the communiqué. He argues that a democracy cannot function with intelligence services lacking civilian oversight and accuses President Nicușor Dan of downplaying the obligation to appoint civilian leadership for SRI.

Drulă says that keeping a general as the institution’s interim chief favors the concentration of power outside democratic control. He also criticizes SRI’s interim director, General Ionescu, calling for measures to be taken following the institution’s response.

SRI said Tuesday that it does not participate in political deals and carries out its activities exclusively within the limits of the Constitution and the law. The institution described as “regrettable and irresponsible” the launching of unsubstantiated accusations regarding its involvement in politics. The response came after statements by Ludovic Orban, who accused the service of alleged political interference in the context of forming the new government.