Romanian Intelligence Service director resigns
The director of the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) George Maior resigned. He has run Romania’s main secret service since 2006.
George Maior handed in his resignation to President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday morning, January 27. Iohannis accepted his resignation, according to an official announcement of the Presidential Administration.
In the beginning of November 2014, before the Presidential elections, Maior said he would hand in his mandate to the new president for evaluation. At that time, he was among the favourites to replace Prime Minister Victor Ponta had he been elected president.
Lieutenant General Florian Coldea, SRI’s first deputy director, will serve as acting director until the Parliament will name a new one. President Klaus Iohannis is entitled to make the proposal.
The director of the Romanian Intelligence Service ranks as a minister and is also a member of the country’s Supreme Defense Council (CSAT).
SRI’s mission is to protect democratic values and promote Romania’s national interest and those of its allies in order to ensure national security, the observance of civil rights and freedoms and the defense of the rule of law.
However, SRI was also believed to be involved in behind the scenes political games, according to some Romanian media. This is why SRI’s director is considered one of the most country’s influential people.
George Maior served as director of the SRI for over eight years. He was the fourth person who held this job after 1989.
Prior to that he was a senator of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and state secretary in the Defense Ministry. He coordinated Romania’s strategic and military preparations for NATO entry.
George Maior, 47, is regarded as one of Romania’s top security experts. He’s also a career diplomat. Between 1992 and 1997, he worked in the Department of Treaties and Department of Strategic Affairs, and between 1997 and 1999, he was chargé d’affaires at the Romanian Embassy in Dublin, Ireland. In 2004, he was conferred the rank of Ambassador.
editor@romania-insider.com
