President of the Save Romania Union (USR) Dominic Fritz accused the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of 'handing' the Romanian Television 'directly to extremists,' saying that this poses a danger for any democracy.

His reaction came after the interim appointments of Sorina Matei and Razvan Dinca at the helm of the Romanian Television Society (SRTv) and the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company (SRR), respectively.

'Illegal and unconstitutional, the AUR [Alliance for the Union of Romanians] appointed her today as interim head of the TVR, with the votes of the PSD of course. In return, the AUR voted for PSD candidate at the Public Radio. Two impeccable journalists - Robert Schwartz (Radio) and Adriana Saftoiu (TVR) - were removed from their positions by the CCR [Constitutional Court of Romania] because they did not follow the system's orders. The PSD has handed Romanian Television directly to extremists, and this poses a danger to any democracy. This is particularly concerning given the clear evidence that the AUR has grown on conspiracy theories, fake news and disinformation, while cultivating distrust in democracy and Europe. But for these PSD members, who see themselves being removed daily by the USR ministers from the public funds that have financed their luxury and private flights for years, the desperation is too great. So great that they are sacrificing a piece of democracy every day. It is possible that, soon, the PSD will present us with its 'pro-European' Government, with all sorts of backroom deals. I say openly: carry out this amoral charade without us. We will continue to fight for dignity and democracy, consistently and without tiring,' Fritz conveyed in a Facebook post on Tuesday evening.

Sorina Matei was appointed interim director general of the TVR on Tuesday by the joint Standing Bureaus of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, while Razvan Dinca will head the SRR for 60 days. AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Georgiana Tanasescu; EN - writing by: Rodica State)