Romanian President's Request Approved by Parliamentary Defense Committees

The Romanian President's request to approve the deployment of US defensive military capabilities at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base for a determined period was approved by a majority vote of the joint defense committees of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.

The Chairwoman of the Senate Committee, Nicoleta Pauliuc, explained why Parliament's vote is needed in this case.

Nicoleta Pauliuc: It is a classified document, the one we debated and based on which we made this decision. I can only confirm that what President Nicusor Dan communicated are elements that we find in the decision. The capabilities that the United States will relocate to Mihail Kogalniceanu are defensive capabilities.

AUR representatives abstained from the vote, and MP Gianina Serban explained why.

Gianina Serban: It will be a hybrid vote. That is, the parliamentary colleagues will vote online on a classified document, which is not public, which has not been consulted, and yet it will be voted online. How will the vote be and what will be voted on?

The plenary sessions of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate debate and rule on the letter of President Nicusor Dan regarding the temporary deployment of American defense equipment and military forces in Romania in the context of the crisis in the Middle East.

Translated by: Radu Matei