Cabinet resignations in Romania

Three Social Democratic ministers have resigned according to an announcement by the partys leader, Liviu Dragnea

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Ştefan Stoica, 13.10.2017, 15:18

Deputy prime minister Sevil Shhaideh, the minister for European funds Rovana Plumb and the transport minister Razvan Cuc have decided to resign from Mihai Tudoses Social Democratic cabinet. Tudose had earlier called for Shhaidehs and Plumbs resignations despite the two ministers wide support within the party, invoking the image problems they cause as a result of their involvement in a corruption case. However, Mihai Tudose does not see these ministers departure as a personal victory, and denies the existence of a conflict within the party.

Mihai Tudose: “Both Sevil Shhaideh and Rovana [Plumb] came to me with their resignations as soon as they were subpoenaed by the National Anticorruption Directorate. We did not accept their resignations so as not to cause the impression of chaos in the government. My two cabinet colleagues have reached the end of their patience. Speaking of war, yes, I did mention the possibility of resigning if the party asks me to and if I realise I am no longer able to carry out my governing programme. There was no war, there is no victor, the only winner as far as were concerned, after this long day, should be the party, and thus the government, and thus the country.

The leader of the Social Democratic Party Liviu Dragnea has put the internal disturbance down to a breakdown in communication between himself and the prime minister.

Liviu Dragnea: “We didnt communicate well. I take responsibility for it, and I believe he has, too. We can no longer make such mistakes, namely to put the party and the coalition and the parliamentary majority and the government in such as a situation. The message I would like to convey as president of the party is that I do not want any institution, regardless of its nature, to believe that this party will let itself be subjugated in its political or governing activity, in any way.

This was seen as a transparent reference to an alleged attempt by the National Anticorruption Directorate to undermine the Social Democratic Party and the government.

This view is shared by Calin Popescu Tariceanu, the president of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, the Social Democrats junior coalition partner: “I believe all accusations made by the National Anticorruption Directorate at this point should be examined carefully; we cannot allow the National Anticorruption Directorate to have a say in the government, whenever it chooses to do so.

Romanias president Klaus Iohannis said prime minister Tudose was right to rid his cabinet of ministers who are having problems with the law.

Klaus Iohannis: “I believe the prime minister is well-intended and wishes to have a good cabinet. On the other hand, both Romanian citizens and I are waiting for the Social Democratic Party to produce some tangible results, now that almost one year has passed since it won the elections.

The Social Democratic Party has narrowly avoided a dangerous internal crisis. In June, the open rebellion of the then prime minister Sorin Grindeanu against Liviu Dragnea forced the party to do something no other ruling party in Romania has ever done, namely to bring down its own cabinet through a vote of no-confidence.