Romania's President criticizes PM for reducing national security budgets

Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis sent yesterday a letter to Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu saying that the decision to reduce the budgets of security institutions, including those of the intelligence services, was “irresponsible”. The President explained that despite getting additional money, the Defense Ministry will not be granted a budget of 2% of the GDP, as Romania has committed. The budget of the Defense Ministry has increased compared to 2016, to 1.5% of the GDP. However, the Government has committed to increase the budget to 2% of the GDP, Iohannis said. The Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) will get a 9% lower budget compared to last year. The Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE) and the Protection and Guard Service (SPP) will also get less funds from the state budget. The decision to reduce these funds represents an “irresponsible” gesture. Iohannis said that no “pertinent and credible” arguments have been brought to explain the reductions. “Ensuring national security should be a priority,” said the President. He explained that the 2017 draft budget provides additional expenditure of almost RON 31 billion (EUR 6.9 billion) compared to 2016, so “cutting budgets for national security is not only unjustified, but totally inappropriate.” He added that the security institutions’ budgets must also be validated by the Country’s Supreme Defense Council – CSAT, where the President has veto right. The Government also cut the funds allotted to the Presidency, Senate, and Chamber of Deputies in this year’s budget draft, which will likely be discussed and approved in today’s cabinet meeting. editor@romania-insider.com