Romanian Defense minister Teodor Atanasiu is grilled by the Defense commissions of the Romanian Senate and House of Deputies on Tuesday, following his request last week that Romania withdraw its troops from Iraq.

Liberal minister Atanasiu was tasked by the Liberal Party and fellow party member PM Calin Popescu Tariceanu last week to request the Supreme Defense Council to decide the withdrawal of Romanian troops from the Gulf country. The request, which sparked a huge scandal as it was not preceded by talks with Romania’s Western allies, was eventually rejected.

Atanasiu must explain the situation in the Parliament now. But the hearings come amid new revelations that Atanasiu sent a telegram to military attaches from several embassies mentioning changes to the foreign policies of Romania.