Not even prefects know what will be discussed in Government meetings

The Government’s lack of transparency in the legislative process has caused dissatisfaction even among its own territorial representatives, with one prefect saying this week in a videoconference attended by Premier Emil Boc that he is not familiar with draft laws before they are adopted in Government meetings.

At present, although all legislation set for adoption needs to be published on the website of the originating institution at least 30 days in advance, the Government’s lack of coordination precludes draft laws from becoming available in advance. Three institutions are involved in the process of adopting a draft law: the General Secretariat of Government (SGG), which ought to publish on its website the drafts set to be discussed, the Government, which announces its meetings without providing those involved with the necessary drafts, and the ministries, which often forget to publish the draft laws under debate on their websites. The Hunedoara prefect, Attila Dezsi, recommended to the Prime Minister to inform his territorial representatives of the legislative modifications and of the reasons for adopting or for modifying laws before Government meetings, so as to know what explanations to give when asked.