Senators adopted the law for launching the long expected National Integrity Agency (ANI), an institution designed to check the wealth of politicians and other dignitaries.

During the latest discussions on the law, Senators included in the law some of the amendments suggested by Social Democrats, Liberals, Great Romania representatives, Conservatives and senators of the Hungarian Minority. Everyone but Democrats.

Immediately after the vote, Justice Minister Tudor Chiuariu took the opportunity to state that "adopting this project proves that the anti corruption campaign isn't the work of a single man or a single party".

ANI was one of the most expected institutions, demanded insistently by the European Commission. One of the main attributes of the Agency will be the permanent checking of all dignitaries’ wealth during their mandates.

The law allowing ANI to exist suffered many changes during its conception and was a permanent source of political tensions.

Update

The first amendment adopted by the Senate refers to union labor leaders (presidents, vice presidents, secretaries and accountants) having to declare their wealth.

The second amendment allows ANI inspectors to check on dignitaries' wealth in case there are significant differences between his/her wealth growth and his/her income (more than 10% per year or more than 10,000 euros).

Although the first version of the law would have turned ANI into an independent institution, in the final version, ANI is under Senatorial control. In other words, senators control those who should check their activities.

Other articles:

- Illegally built wealth may be confiscated;

- The articles referring to dignitaries' incompatibilities (also working as lawyers, notaries or juridical counselors) were erased.