The bill on the Security and Intelligence Service was approved by Parliament in the first reading on Thursday. The Bloc of Communists and Socialists blasted the bill introduced by the governing Action and Solidarity Party, calling it “a crime against the citizens”, as it offers extended powers to the SIS.

According to its sponsors, the bill aims to ensure the SIS’s independence. It details the procedure of appointment and resignation of the SIS director, but also establishes a second position of deputy director. Additionally, it describes the basic directions of the SIS activity, the most important being external intelligence and counter-intelligence. A special activity is the investigative one.

BCS lawmaker Diana Caraman said the bill violates human rights, including the right to privacy, privacy of conversation, among others, with the SIS enabled to wiretap and search people by a simple order from the SIS director.

“I want you to understand one important thing. What does this bill essentially say? That the SIS director - who today is a person you trust, but tomorrow the situation may be different - can order certain investigative activities. Like putting certain devices in your homes, and so on”, said Socialist Vlad Batrîncea.

The PAS lawmakers, all of the 59 in attendance, went on to approve the bill in the first reading. Lilian Carp, a cosponsor, said that the state needs a strong SIS and strong institutions in general. The parliamentarian assured that some controversial provisions will be reviewed before the second reading is held.