NGO transparency bill backed beyond sovereigntist camp
Across the Prut, a political surprise has taken shape. A bill requiring NGOs to publish all sources of funding, including donor names, has been adopted by the Romanian Senate.
The biggest surprise was not only the bill itself, introduced by sovereigntists from AUR, but the breadth of support it received. It was backed not only by other sovereigntist and opposition forces, but also by the Social Democrats, who until recently were part of the governing coalition.
They did not take part in the parliamentary debate. However, their votes helped the bill first secure approval in the Senate’s Legal Committee, and then pass in the chamber itself.
Donor names and funding sources to be published
The bill requires NGOs to report “all income and sources of funding from the previous year, regardless of origin, indicating all identification data of individuals for amounts above 5,000 lei and legal entities”.
These data would have to be submitted not only to the tax authorities, but also published on a dedicated website.
Refusal to provide and publish the information would first be punished by suspension of activity. If an NGO or foundation still refused to comply after one year, it could be dissolved.
Final vote still ahead
The Senate vote is only the first stage before the bill can become law. It must still secure a majority in the Chamber of Deputies and then be promulgated by the president.
The first step may not be the hardest. For the Social Democrats, support for the bill appears to be a tactical move aimed at rebuilding their reputation and increasing pressure on the governing coalition.
The real difficulty may come later. Nicușor Dan, who remains heavily dependent on Brussels, is unlikely to approve such measures easily.
