PNL senator Daniel Fenechiu withdraws support for drug-law amendment amid political backlash

Daniel Fenechiu, a leading figure in the Partidul Național Liberal, announced on Facebook that he has withdrawn his signature from a legislative initiative to amend Law 143/2000 on drugs. The proposal, prepared with fellow senator Victoria Stoiciu, sought to address the inefficiency of the existing framework, which he said targets three-quarters of drug cases against consumers rather than traffickers, and to redirect funds toward prevention centers.

He cited examples of young people prosecuted for minor cannabis possession and highlighted WHO recommendations and Portugal’s experience as evidence of potential benefits. Fenechiu claimed that the expected parliamentary and civil-society debate never materialised, as most parties, state institutions and the Romanian Orthodox Church opposed the measure outright. He concluded that continuing to support the bill would expose the PNL to “unfounded and miserable” political attacks, prompting his decision to step back.