President Rejects Proposals For New Labor And Transportations Ministers
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announced on Tuesday that he rejected two of the Social Democrat Party’s (PSD) eight proposals for a government reshuffle, for Lia Olguta Vasilescu as transportations minister and Ilan Laufer as regional development minister.
The president also rejected proposals to dismiss the current ministers in those offices, Lucian Sova and Paul Stanescu, while accepting the other six changes proposed by the country’s ruling party.
Iohannis did not explain the reasoning behind his refusal to appoint the two ministers, only stating he considers them “inappropriate”.
“I agree with a government reshuffle, but we must take into account a number of things. Firstly, that we are facing a tough challenge, the EU Council presidency we will take over from January 1, 2019, and can lead to a Romanian success only if the ministries do their job and Romania’s approach is a coherent one. The conclusion is that we need ministers who perform very well,” the president said in a press statement.
His refusal leaves Lia Olguta Vasilescu – who until yesterday was one of the few ministers to keep the same cabinet office since PSD’s victory in the 2016 elections – without a cabinet office, as the president accepted the proposal for her dismissal from the Labor Ministry, and also the appointment of MP Marius Budai in her place.
The Romanian head of state also accepted PSD proposals for Gabriel Les as defense minister, Niculae Badalau as economy minister, Daniel Breaz as culture minister, Alexandru Petrescu as communications minister and Bogdan Matei as youth and sports minister.
He also announced that the swearing-in ceremony for the new ministers was scheduled for Tuesday, 15.30 local time.
According to a previous Constitutional Court decision, the president can refuse ministerial proposals for a vacant office once with reason, and must appoint the second nominee. The Government cannot nominate the rejected proposal for the same office. (cotidianul.ro)
Ruling Party Decides On New Proposals For Transportations, Development Ministers – Sources
Romania’s ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) voted in a top brass meeting on Tuesday evening to nominate Lia Olguta Vasilescu as development minister and Mircea Draghici for the transportations office, party sources told MEDIAFAX.
The move follows the refusal of President Klaus Iohannis to appoint the initial nominees for the two offices.
Vasilescu, who until yesterday served as Romania’s labor minister, was initially nominated for the transportations job, but the proposal was refused by President Iohannis on Tuesday, together with that of businessman Ilan Laufer as regional development minister.
The meeting was attended by party leader Liviu Dragnea and Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, but also by top-ranked social democrats such as Niculae Badalau, Dragos Benea, Rodica Nassar or Mihai Fifor.
The two offices were supposed to be included in a government reshuffle announced by the social democratson Monday, with their plans delayed by Iohannis accepting only six of the eight proposed ministerial swaps. The newly-appointed ministers were sworn-in on Tuesday.
According to a Constitutional Court decision, the president can only refuse nominations for a cabinet office once with reason, while the Prime Minister cannot make the same rejected proposal for the same office a second time. (puterea.ro)
Leu Keeps Downward Trend Vs Euro
The Romanian leu on Tuesday lost 0.03% on the day to the euro, standing at a reference rate of 4.6662 units, central bank data showed.
On Monday, the leu’s reference rate stood at 4.6650 units to the euro.
Against the US dollar, the leu grew from 4.0855 units Monday to 4.0794 units Tuesday.
Against the Swiss franc, the leu fell from 4.0980 units Monday to 4.1096 units Tuesday. (romanialibera.ro)