Executive director of the Resource Center for Human Rights Sergiu Ostaf, who is a member of the Integrity Council of the National Integrity Authority, said the political processes of 2014 – 2016 influenced the activity of the former National Integrity Center (NIC). In the two-year period, the National Integrity Center was biased towards public institutions and persons from particular public institutions, avoiding others.

In a news conference at IPN on May 4, Sergiu Ostaf said in the period of political instability, the NIC exercised reduced control over public servants. Before the parliamentary elections of 2014 and the local elections of 2015, during the formation of the multiple parliamentary alliances and governments, the NIC’s control over high-ranking functionaries decreased several times compared with the periods of political stability, when there were no elections and removals of governments.

“There is a correlation between the political processes and the work of the NIC. It is enough to ascertain that there were particular oscillations in the activity of the NIC. I do not say that namely these political cycles had a decisive influence, but there is a visible correlation that should be regarded as a possible risk, if it’s plausible or not. There is a sufficiently high risk index to investigate this hypothesis or plausible accusation,” stated Sergiu Ostaf.

He voiced hope that the National Integrity Authority will learn from the experience of the NIC and will not repeat its mistake. If the old practice is continued, the new institution risks having a much poorer image among the people and development partners.

The National Integrity Authority was created by reorganizing the National Integrity Center. The new institution will have 30 integrity inspectors who will enjoy functional independence. They will identify mistakes in the property statements of civil servants and will be able to impose penalties.