Environmental NGOs ask the European Commission to take action over Romania’s Energy Minister
Update on Environmental NGO Interactions with Romanian Authorities
Dear Ms. Claudia Fusco and Mr. Florian Geyer,
We acknowledge the critical importance of conducting a comprehensive and impartial assessment of the current situation surrounding environmental advocacy in Romania. As highlighted in your previous correspondence, any evaluation must carefully consider input from all parties concerned, including the Romanian authorities. In the spirit of transparency and due diligence, we are providing additional context to our previous communication regarding interactions between environmental NGOs and the Romanian Energy Minister.
Our intention is to present a detailed account of recent developments, recognizing that a fair assessment requires a nuanced understanding of the full context. We appreciate the Commission’s commitment to examining the matter objectively and ensuring a fair and impartial assessment that considers all perspectives.
Since our initial communication, significant developments have occurred that raise serious concerns about the treatment of civil society organizations.
Specific Actions of Concern
Minister Sebastian Burduja has recently taken new actions that the civil society organizations perceive as attempts to intimidate them. In social media posts, he publicly encouraged national energy company directors to file maximum damages lawsuits against environmental NGOs. In the post specific energy infrastructure projects are mentioned, which have been legally challenged by organizations like Greenpeace, Bankwatch Romania, and Declic. In a further interview, he made allegations suggesting potential Russian influence on actions of environmental organizations.
On 25 March 2025, 75 civil society organizations signed an open letter to Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, detailing what they perceive as systematic challenges to their advocacy work. The PM’s reply came through a press conference and Facebook post: “I would like to say publicly to the Minister of Energy that he has my full support, I have seen that he is being attacked both by Soros’ NGOs and by the (political) parties that play Russia’s game.”
Potential Implications for Civic Space
Not only is the minister’s message in conflict with the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making, and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, it also constitutes a direct and serious (as it comes from a Member State’s minister and is directed to a State owned company) incitement to start legal actions in violation of the EU anti-SLAPP Directive. At the same time, the Romanian Government is currently working on the transposition of the directive, and is apparently in favor of extending the guarantees of the new law to national cases, according to European recommendations.
Request for Comprehensive Review
We respectfully request the European Commission to continue a thorough investigation that includes perspectives from all parties and to assess whether the actions constitute a systematic attempt to reduce civic space and environmental advocacy.
We understand the complexity of such assessments and the need to hear from Romanian authorities. Therefore, we welcome a comprehensive dialogue that ensures a fair and balanced understanding of the situation.
The enclosed documentation, including the open letter signed by 75 civil society organizations, provides additional context for your review.
We remain committed to constructive dialogue and the protection of democratic principles of public participation.
Sincerely,
Vlad Popescu, Bankwatch Romania
Tudor Brădățan, Declic
Cătălina Rădulescu, Ecolegal
Elena Ionescu, Greenpeace Romania
Gabriel Păun, Agent Green
