Romania's upper house of parliament on Wednesday approved a sweeping integrity law that includes a retroactive provision forcing Dominic Fritz, leader of the Save Romania Union (USR), out of his post as mayor of Timișoara. The Senate vote, 109 to 19, saw only USR senators oppose the bill, despite warnings from the European People's Party (EPP) that it could weaken democratic safeguards in the country.
The legislation is a key milestone under Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Bucharest must enact it before 31 August to unlock €770 million in EU post-pandemic recovery funding. The law obliges any public official with a final conflict-of-interest ruling to lose their mandate automatically. Fritz, a German-born politician first elected mayor in 2020, was found to have an administrative conflict of interest linked to an urban planning document he approved that year.
The retroactive nature of the so-called 'Fritz amendment' has triggered alarm in Brussels. On Wednesday, Manfred Weber, leader of the EPP, and Valérie Hayer, head of Renew Europe, wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urging her to consider freezing funds earmarked for Romania unless the amendment is removed. Their appeal echoes earlier concerns raised by EU conservatives and liberals about the rule of law in Romania.
Political fallout in Bucharest
The bill now moves to President Nicușor Dan, who can sign it into law or send it back to parliament for reconsideration. Dan, a former USR member and founder of the party, has not indicated his position. The legislation could also face a challenge at the Constitutional Court, though legal analysts consider a rejection unlikely.
Debate in the Senate was heated, with Romanian media reporting sharp exchanges. A USR senator accused the Social Democrats (PSD) of acting as 'worthy successors to Stalinists who used legislation to eliminate political opponents.' The bill was advanced by an unusual coalition of the left-leaning PSD and the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), while the centre-right National Liberal Party (PNL) did not oppose it, despite criticism from its own European political family.
Beyond the Fritz clause, the integrity law significantly reshapes how Romanian officials disclose assets and interests. It introduces stricter reporting requirements and centralizes oversight, a reform long sought by Brussels. However, the retroactive dismissal provision has cast a shadow over the entire package.
The stakes are high: any failure to meet the targets agreed with the European Commission after 31 August would result in proportional cuts to the recovery funds. Romania has already seen delays in disbursements due to earlier rule-of-law concerns, and this latest controversy could further strain relations with Brussels.
Fritz, who has led Timișoara since 2020 and was re-elected in 2024, has vowed to fight the decision. His removal would mark a significant political shift in a city that has become a symbol of liberal, pro-European governance in western Romania. The USR has called the law a politically motivated attack, while supporters argue it strengthens integrity standards.
The European Parliament's main groups have signaled they will monitor the situation closely. The EPP and Renew Europe have both called for the amendment to be scrapped, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for other member states. The Commission has not yet responded publicly to the letter, but officials in Brussels are known to be concerned about the retroactive application of integrity rules.
As the 31 August deadline approaches, all eyes are on President Dan and the Constitutional Court. The outcome will not only determine Fritz's political future but also test Romania's commitment to the rule of law and its standing within the EU.
