Man, sit down and don't move, because I've got news that'll make you realize scheming is the order of the day in Romania. Check out what's happening in Cârcea, Dolj County—right where the Craiova clans fight over grilled minced rolls and cabbage rolls. The DNA prosecutors woke up and got involved in the case of the Lidl warehouse built right next to a NATO military radar—the kind that sees all the way to Moscow. The investigation is about how the permits were issued, but also about the deal to move the radar at the Germans' expense.
The story starts in 2021, when Lidl bought 23 hectares from the mayor of Cârcea, Valeriu Pupăză, or from his companies. Naturally, with the condition that the land be buildable, and the town hall issued the permit like hotcakes. Construction began, but in January 2022, the Ministry of National Defense (MApN) woke up and demanded a halt, because the 20-meter-high warehouse blocks the view of the FPS-117 radar, essential for aerial surveillance. So, bro, those NATO guys can't see if an enemy plane is coming because Lidl is stocking up on shawarma and cola.
In May 2022, MApN sued the Dolj County Council and Lidl, seeking the annulment of the permit. But former Defense Minister Vasile Dîncu signed an order allowing the radar to be moved at Lidl's expense, and the parties made an out-of-court settlement. The judge at the Tribunal disagreed, citing public interest, and on September 28, 2023, annulled the permit. Lidl and the County Council appealed, and on March 5, 2024, the Craiova Court of Appeal sent the case back to the Tribunal to re-examine the settlement.
In the new trial, MApN changed its position. Minister Angel Tîlvăr signed a document refusing the settlement, because the radar is integrated into NATO and moving it would require Alliance approval. Plus, since December 2022, the radar has been undergoing modernization by Lockheed Martin, with MApN funds, so the old agreement is void. But Lidl's lawyers and the County Council argue the settlement is valid, since Dîncu's order was never officially revoked. MApN requested a stay of proceedings until the criminal cases at DNA are resolved, but the court said no.
In May 2025, the mayor of Craiova, Lia Olguța Vasilescu, tried to join the case on the side of the County Council and Lidl, arguing that if the permit is annulled, it sets a dangerous precedent for any construction within a 30 km radius. Her request was rejected. Now the trial continues with three expert reports: one topocadastral report done, one construction report done, and one aviation equipment report in progress. Lidl challenged both completed reports, claiming they're incomplete, but MApN says the radar data is public. Vasile Dîncu stated he hasn't been contacted by prosecutors, and DNA confirms it requested documents from MApN in February 2024, without details.
Now, bro, I sit and think: Mioara went to Lidl to buy discounted cabbage rolls and stood in line for 20 minutes because they were out of stock. Maybe because of those guys in Cârcea, since their warehouse is blocked. And me with my 2008 BMW, with the sport exhaust, I look at this news and I feel like laughing. Eh, NATO, eh, Lidl, eh, DNA—they're all playing cat and mouse, and we Romanians pay the bills. Who wins in the end? Guess!
