EPP Group chairman Manfred Weber: 'I am extremely worried about the situation in Romania. We will not bargain over the rule of law'

Upon meeting Romanian PM Viorica Dancila, who is on an official visit to Brussels, the EPP Group’s Chairman Manfred Weber posted on Twitter a video message that sounded like a warning towards the Romanian government. Weber said he was ‘extremely worried’ about the situation in Romania and ruled out any type of ‘bargain over the rule of law.’

Romanian PM Viorica Dancila started on Tuesday a two-day visit to Brussels, where she is scheduled to meet representatives of the political groups represented in the European Parliament.

“I am extremely worried about the situation in Romania. I asked Prime Minister Viorica Dancila today about corruption and the independence of the judiciary. We will not bargain over the rule of law,” Manfred Weber said on Twitter.

In a video he also posted, he said: “The country is going backwards in the fight against anti-corruption and the independence of the judiciary is under pressure.We saw citizens in Bucharest this summer beaten by the police. Frankly, this is not acceptable. The fight against corruption is not a luxury. It is an absolute necessity to protect our citizens and businesses from state abuse. That’s why we urgently ask the Romanian government to change this course. We stand on the side of European citizens and we will never bargain over the rule of law.

The European Parliament will debate in plenum in the beginning of October the topic of the August 10 protests, Romanian MEP Sigfried Muresan announced. Romanian PM Dancila

The European Parliament will adopt a resolution on the situation in Romania at the second plenary session in October. Before that, in the first session of the month, the EP will hold a debate on the violent August 10 protests in Bucharest. The announcement was made by Romanian MEP Siegfried Muresan, representing the National Liberal Party (PNL). Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila will be invited to speak at the debate at the end of October.

I am extremely worried about the situation in #Romania. I asked Prime Minister @VioricaDancila today about corruption and the independence of the judiciary. We will not bargain over the rule of law. #BetterEurope pic.twitter.com/oF9wNuWqT6

— Manfred Weber (@ManfredWeber) September 25, 2018