Romanian PM’s advisor accuses president of secret deal with Austrian group on offshore law

Darius Valcov, prime minister Viorica Dancila’s main economic advisor, insinuated in a Facebook post that president Klaus Iohannis may have had a deal with Austrian group OMV’s CEO Reiner Seele related to the offshore law. The two officials had a private meeting in January. In August, president Iohannis asked the Parliament to review the offshore law, which was disputed by major international groups that run offshore operations in Romania’s Black Sea section. Valcov also said that, after Iohannis’ decision, the state television in Austria ORF became interested in the protests in Romania and two journalists from this television claimed they were assaulted by the riot police. He also wrote that the OMV CEO and Russian president Vladimir Putin are good friends, local Mediafax reported. Darius Valcov, a former finance minister investigated for corruption, says the offshore law adopted by the Parliament in early July brings USD 6 billion worth of extra revenues to the state and whoever would try to change it should be charged with high treason. editor@romania-insider.com