Romanian Liberals Require Parliament Approval To Probe Youth Minister

A statement by Liberal deputy Alina Gorghiu charges minister Iacob Ridzi with embezzlement and abuse of office. According to the statement, the EUR630,000 spent by the Youth Ministry to organize festivities on Youth Day, May 2, is well above the market fee for such projects. Furthermore, Gorghiu says, the event organizing contracts were awarded under suspicious circumstances.

Gorghiu urged the (ruling) Democratic Liberal Party not to block the Liberal Party’s request and commence an investigation of the youth minister, who she believes should resign.

In a press conference held Friday, the Ministry of Youth and Sports said the events organized on May 2 cost about EUR620,000 and minister Iacob Ridzi said she doesn’t regret how much she had to spend because she was happy with the result and 100,000 people had fun.