The Senate committees approve the transformation of the Levant Institute into the Institute for Peace Studies, despite USR's criticisms.

The culture and public administration committees in the Senate issued, on April 7, 2026, an admission report for transforming the Institute for Advanced Studies in Levantine Culture and Civilization into an Institute for Peace Studies.

USR criticized this decision, considering it a transparent attempt to save an institution lacking relevance through a public relations gimmick. The formation emphasizes that the term 'peace' cannot cover the lack of results and public utility of the institute.

Remus Negoi, a member of the Culture Committee, stated that the institute has produced nothing of scientific value and compared the situation to the absence of similar institutions in the USA for former presidents. Additionally, the initiative received a negative opinion from the Economic and Social Council, which warned about the risks of inequity and pressures on the public budget. USR has submitted a legislative initiative for the dissolution of several pseudo-research institutions, including the Levant Institute, considering that any other solution would be a costly postponement of an inevitable decision.