Romanian President Compels Transparency At Public Institutions’ Level, Issues Warnings

Basescu stressed that influential ministers continue to be „the good guys” and to ignore the restructuring process, whereas ministers with little influence are the only ones who carry on the restructuring process, which, he stressed, is highly important and necessary.

The head of state pointed out that public institutions should show transparency and austerity too, out of solidarity with all Romanians who were asked to make sacrifices at difficult times. He also said he requested that all employees in public institutions be thoroughly selected, based on performance criteria, not clientelism.

Basescu on Tuesday scolded democrat liberal ministers for lack of transparency at the level of the ministries they run and the assignment of public contracts to the political clientele. Basescu’s critical remarks targeted, among others, Development and Tourism Minister Elena Udrea, Finance Minister Sebastian Vladescu, Economy Minister Adriean Videanu and Prime Minister Emil Boc.

Basescu told Vladescu that tax inspectors’ incomes, not their salaries, should be posted on the Finance Ministry’s website, whereas Udrea was scolded for the way several public contracts were assigned to the members of certain political parties.