BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The head of Romania’s foreign spy agency has resigned to run for president in the Nov. 2 election, fueling debate about the presence of spies in the country’s political life.
Teodor Melescanu quit Monday as director of Romania’s Foreign Intelligence Agency.
The news broke a day after a leading TV political talk show host revealed that he was an undercover officer for the defense ministry, which has declined comment on the topic.
The twin developments add to the suspicion that Romania’s political life is being manipulated by the intelligence services. Romania has two main intelligence agencies and five smaller agencies not under parliamentary control.
Melescanu, 73, will run as a candidate for the Social Justice Party, the electoral office said, facing Prime Minister Victor Ponta and others.
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