Romanian Interior Minister Resigns

Dragnea said that as long as the goals he committed to achieve when he took office cannot be reached based on objective reasons, he thinks it best to resign.

He said he does not want to be put in the position of being a member of the government who takes actions against it.

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“It’s obvious that for objective reasons, the targets set and at the decentralization strategy which I planned cannot be enforced. I’m submitting my resignation from the helm of the Interior Ministry to avoid a delicate position in the government and implicitly tensions within the governing coalition, as my interventions concerning this issue can lead to a hostile attitude both toward local authorities and the ministry,” Dragnea said.

He said he cannot witness the reduction of financial resources and the risk of bad service offered to citizens.

“As long as the ministry’s departments are not financially supported, it’s impossible to protect the citizens’ safety. I took part in all discussions on the state budget and I offered arguments for my point of view. It’s obvious that for objective reasons the goals and the decentralization strategy I planned to carry out cannot be enforced,” Dragnea said.

Prime Minister Emil Boc said Monday night he will have consultations with the head of the Social Democratic Party, Mircea Geoana, to designate a new interior minister.

“It’s his personal, unilateral decision. (…) As far as we are concerned, we’re moving on.” Boc said.

Geoana said Monday night the list of propositions for the headship of the Interior Ministry is short, but it will be ensured by a party peer.

Liviu Dragnea came at the helm of the Interior Ministry on January 20, after Gabriel Oprea resigned following the withdrawal of political support by the Social Democratic Party.

The period between the two mandates was ensured by deputy prime minister Dan Nica.