When public officials have a conflict of interest, they may face incentives to act in their own or others’ private interests rather than the public interest. This can, in turn, lead to inefficient, ineffective or even harmful policy making or administration. One potential risk area is when public officials move between the public and private sectors (the so-called “revolving door”). Exchanges of expertise and experience between the public and private sectors can enrich policy making. However, without proper safeguards, they can also allow public officials to further their own interests or those of a past or future employer. This could include, for example, granting a former employer privileged access to non-public information or using past connections to secure access to such information or influence policymaking after leaving the public sector.
Romania has been implementing reforms to strengthen integrity and transparency in the public sector for over two decades. However, Romania’s National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) for 2021-25 recognised that elements of this integrity framework are incoherent and ineffective. One element requiring improvement is the regulation of pre- and post-public employment, as outlined in Objective 3.1 of the NACS.
This report provides recommendations to support Romania in strengthening pre- and post-public employment regulations and their implementation, thereby mitigating conflict-of-interest risks posed by public officials’ movement between the public and private sectors. Drawing on OECD standards and good practices from OECD member countries, the report outlines how Romanian authorities could clarify the regulatory framework in this area, expand the scope of at-risk officials and activities covered, strengthen the system for monitoring public officials’ pre- and post-public employment activities and support current and former public officials through guidance on how to handle conflict-of-interest situations.
The report was approved by the Public Governance Committee on 25 February 2025 and prepared for publication by the Secretariat.