Bill on gifts to public officials remitted for reconsideration

A bill imposing a obligation on public officials to declare the gifts they accept was remitted by Parliament to the relevant commission for readjustments, after the MPs found that its content was too vague and leaving much room for interpretation, Info-Prim Neo reports. Deputy Justice Minister Vladimir Grosu told the Parliament's meeting on Friday that the bill included amendments to the Law on Conduct in Public Office and the Law on Conflict of Interest. Under the bill, public officials are required to declare all the gifts, including those destined for their families, relatives, friends and other persons associated with them, which might influence their impartiality in office. Lib-Dem MP Valeriu Ghiletchi suggested the bill should explicitly state the value of the gifts that may be accepted by officials. Democrat Marian Lupu also called for more concreteness. “For example, a ministerial delegation goes on a trip abroad where its members receive gifts. What the official is supposed to do upon his return home? Should he find out the price of the gift? Should he submit a written declaration? What is exactly his course of action? The more vague the law is, the more ridiculous situations it will generate”, said the Speaker. Liberal MP Valeriu Saharneanu suggested that the bill should also include provisions against the practice to celebrate officials' birthdays. “It would be good to have a mild interdiction on celebrating birthdays at the office. We observed entire caravans of officials competing at who makes the best gift to a superior ”, argued Saharneanu.