Is the new Government's highly publicised targeting of high level figures accused of corruption for popular gain or a genuine commitment to bringing such criminals to justice?

Adrian Nastase, former prime minister

The first step that the Government chose was to highly publicise [its anti-corruption stance]. I don't want to judge before the time comes, but it seems as though this campaign started with talk-shows. Moreover indications that the justice system lacks independence are appearing, and if these signs are real, that will be really dangerous. I still have hopes and expectations from the team that won its place in Government by a firm promise to find a solution to corruption. If these expectations are not realised, our team will do everything possible to remind the Government to respect their promises and show that the Romanian people are expecting action and not talk. Romania cannot afford to waste its time.

Ioan Amarie, outgoing general prosecutor at the National Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office

The activity of our office has strongly attracted the attention of the media ever since the institution was founded, which created the impression that we were leading an image campaign. Also the attention of the mass-media was attracted, every time, by the public status of the people the anticorruption prosecutors have investigated and sent to justice. Consequently, we are talking about a strong decision to fight corruption and not an attempt to attract media focus.

Cornel Vadim Tudor, president of Greater Romania Party (PRM)

What the Government is doing now is scornful. They highly publicised some small corruption cases to divert the attention from the real corrupt politicians. For example, they are accusing other people of bribery, such as Octavian Belu who was given the golden medal for Romania, instead of punishing corrupt people who had as much business with the former Government as with this one. It is not profitable what they are doing, they are all corrupt.

Codru Vrabie, Expert, Transparency International

The fact that they are highly publicised does not solve anything. These things should not be publicised because involuntarily they are manipulating the judges. What the Government is doing reminds me of skating, where players are given two marks: one for the technique and one for artistic impression. This Government receives only one mark and that is a five for its artistic impression. Only when Basescu confirmed that he would start hunting corrupted politicians, did this Government assume its commitment.

Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, President of the Romanian Academic Society

Mixed feelings regarding this campaign exist. Now there is definitely more political will to fight corruption, but, on the other hand, there is also a serious risk of this getting stranded in only the opening of inquiries that make a lot of noise, but are not solved