The leader of the PNL senators, Daniel Fenechiu, withdrew his signature on Monday from the controversial bill concerning the decriminalization of drug possession for personal use.

The leader of the PNL senators, Daniel Fenechiu, withdrew his signature on Monday from the bill proposing the replacement of prison sentences for the possession of drugs for personal use with administrative fines. The initiative was submitted to the Senate and sparked opposition from most political parties and several institutions.

Fenechiu explained that he had supported the bill because the current legislative framework is, in his opinion, ineffective, while approximately three-quarters of drug cases concern users. He cited the need to redirect resources toward prevention, treatment, and specialized centers, as well as Portugal’s experience.

The bill, initiated by Senator Victoria Stoiciu, had also been signed by Daniel Fenechiu and Cristian Ghinea. It provided for fines of between 1,000 and 1,500 lei for low-risk drugs and between 1,500 and 3,000 lei for high-risk drugs.

The liberal senator stated that the expected public debate had not taken place and that the majority of parliamentarians, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and the Romanian Patriarchate had spoken out against the initiative. Fenechiu justified the withdrawal of his signature by his desire not to expose the PNL to political attacks.