Nothing will change in the work of SIS and CNI, NGO leaders

Nothing will change in the work of the Security and Intelligence Service (SIS) and of the National Integrity Commission (CNI) after the heads of these institutions have been appointed according to political deals. The opinion was shared with Info-Prim Neo by representatives of civil society. Director of the Resource Center for Human Rights (CReDO) Sergiu Ostaf, also head of the National Participatory Commission, said that the procedure of appointing Anatolie Donciu at the helm of CNI was strongly politicized. “It’s a big question mark regarding the institution’s capacity to promote integrity principles considering that all but one of its members (civil society representative Cristina Cojocaru) are not politically neutral and have certain political obligations. The appointment procedure was below any criticism. I don’t trust this institution. I mean I don’t think it will able to carry out its mission of promoting integrity in the public sector”, said Sergiu Ostaf. Ostaf said the appointment of the SIS director was also political. Civil society is unhappy with the appointment of Mihai Balan at the helm of SIS because he didn’t present a clear vision regarding the reformation of the institution. Another criticism is that there was no competition for the job, as Balan was appointed politically. As regards the CNA head Viorel Chetraru, the CReDO director thinks he is a professional, even though the selection process wasn’t really transparent and the results of the written test weren’t published. Tatiana Puiu, member of the NGO Lawyers for Human Rights, said that the head of CNI should have been the candidate recommended by civil society, Cristina Cojocaru, but the position was allotted politically. Concerning Mihai Balan’s candidature, she remarked how little is known about this person, only that he has worked in the diplomatic field. As regards Viorel Chetraru, Tatiana Puiu said he was a proven professional, but the appointment contest should have been more transparent. Parliament approved the appointments of CNI, SIS and CAN heads on October 25. The Communist group boycotted the meeting.