The Renewing Romania's European Project Party (REPER) has expressed concern over Labour Minister Petre Florin Manole's proposal to merge the National Agency for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (ANES), which reports to the Prime Minister, with the National Agency Against Human Trafficking (ANITP), part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, into a single social services agency under his own ministry.

'The two institutions were established with great difficulty, at the insistence of international partners, to protect women's rights and to fulfil Romania's obligations under the Istanbul Convention, in line with European policies. ANES is mandated as the national authority for combating gender discrimination and domestic violence, coordinating public policies, monitoring their implementation, and representing Romania at European and international level,' REPER representatives said in a press release.

ANITP, part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, plays a key role in protecting victims of human trafficking and combating transnational organised crime, REPER noted.

According to the party, 'under the minister's plan, these institutions would be removed from their primary mission of prevention and enforcement, and reduced to a mere social assistance service, vulnerable to ideological interference. In fact, the proposal echoes ideas promoted by the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and the international illiberal network, which seeks to restrict women's rights and limit their dignity.'

REPER president Camelia Salcudean stressed that 'destroying ANES and ANITP would mean ignoring Romania's international obligations and yielding to extremist currents. We call on President Nicusor Dan and all parties claiming to be pro-European to reject this proposal. Civil society has fought too hard for these institutions for them to be dismantled through a bureaucratic manoeuvre.'

'This reform is not about efficiency, but about weakening vital institutions, hard-won and essential for protecting women and Romania's credibility in Europe. Instead of strengthening protective mechanisms and streamlining the two agencies, there is a risk they will be reduced to a simple service, without the capacity to prevent, coordinate, or penalise. It is a direct blow to women's safety and a step towards illiberalism, undermining Romanian democracy,' added Ana-Maria Boghean, REPER vice-president and city councillor.

REPER urges civil society to remain united against this 'dangerous move' and thanked the Necuvinte and ANAIS associations for documenting and explaining the risks of the project currently under public debate. 'State spending cuts should never come at the expense of institutions that protect women, but through responsible budget management,' the party representatives convey. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Catalina Matei; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)