Activists from the environmental organization Greenpeace are demanding the resignation of Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja, citing the fact that "it is unacceptable, in a democratic state, for the Energy minister to go public with messages asking the directors of state-owned companies to take NGOs that challenge controversial projects to court."
"We condemn the reaction of Minister Sebastian Burduja and consider that he committed an irreconcilable slippage from democratic principles and the obligations of the position he holds. By publicly instigating lawsuits against civil society, he demonstrated not only a dangerous misunderstanding of democracy, but also a deeply hostile attitude towards the fundamental right to free expression and public participation (...) Furthermore, it is unacceptable for someone in this position to provide false information that manipulates and distorts reality. For example, Greenpeace Romania, the regional offices and Greenpeace International have been actively involved both in protests against Russia and fossil gas imports, as well as in the response to the oil spill in the Black Sea, mentioned by the minister of Energy in his message. A simple internet search would have helped him find this information, if he were really interested in doing so. Through a statement that seems to have come straight from a political intimidation manual, the minister not only encourages reprisals against civil society, but also sends a clear warning: anyone who dares to criticize will pay dearly. And this is just the beginning", Greenpeace says in a press release sent on Thursday to AGERPRES.
According to the cited source, "this is no longer a simple government position, but a frontal attack on the fundamental right to public participation and justice".
On Thursday, the Minister of Energy, Sebastian Burduja, mentioned, in a post on his social media account, that an American court had decided that the NGO Greenpeace must pay 660 million dollars for the illegal blocking of a strategic energy project and requested all directors of national energy companies to seek damages in court in the maximum amount against organizations that bring actions in bad faith.
In this context, the official announced that the relevant ministry is working on a proposal for a regulatory act, for the first time, to unblock and accelerate projects that have been started, with a high degree of execution
"We are working on a proposal for a regulatory act, for the first time, to unblock and speedily accelerate the projects that have been started, with a high degree of execution. There are over ten hydropower plants, with a cumulative investment value of almost 12 billion RON, most of which has already been spent by the Romanian state. We are talking about over 700MW, with an execution stage of up to 98%. We will not stop! Let it be clear: whoever wants to keep Romania in the dark will be held accountable. Because that is moral and normal. (...) I publicly ask all the directors of national energy companies to seek damages in court in the maximum amount against NGOs that file actions in bad faith! Whoever makes a mistake pays. That is normal (...) Each artificial blockage costs Romania money, jobs and energy security. Energy patriotism means deeds, not words! It means moving to offensive measures to consolidate the production of electricity and heat, after years of delays, hesitations, blockages. Romania needs gas, hydroelectric power plants, coal, renewables, strategic investments. It needs everything," the dignitary said.
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