Prime Minister Announces Eight Cabinet Changes In Government Reshuffle

Labor Minister Lia Olguta Vasilescu will take over the transportations office from Lucian Sova. In her place, social-democrat MP Marius Budai will take over the top office at the Labor Ministry.

PSD Senator Niculae Badalau, formerly a critic of party leader Liviu Dragnea, will be appointed as economy minister in place of Danut Andrusca, while another senator, Daniel Breaz, will take over the Culture Ministry from George Ivascu.

Former Grindeanu cabinet Defense Minister Gabriel Les will be reappointed to the office following the resignation of Mihai Fifor, shortly before the meeting was due to commence.

Previous reports suggested that Regional Development Minister Paul Stanescu would also be replaced with former Business Environment Minister Ilan Laufer.

Alexandru Petrescu will become the country’s new communications minister, while Bogdan Matei will replace Ioana Bran as youth and sports minister.

Despite previous rumors indicating that he will also be replaced in the reshuffle, Justice Minister Tudorel Toader will remain in office.

According to party sources, the prime minister will forward the proposals to President Klaus Iohannis later on Monday.

The reshuffle was decided following a six-hour meeting of the ruling Social Democrat Party’s executive committee.