Romania’s Justice Minister Submits Resignation To PM’s Office

Romania’s justice minister Tudor Chiuariu submitted his resignation Monday afternoon to the Office of Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu.

1 view

The resignation was submitted around 15:30 local time, sources within the ministry told MEDIAFAX.

Chiuariu announced his resignation Sunday in a press conference, adding he would come back to continue reforms in the country’s legal system when “ridiculous attacks against him” cease.

Chiuariu said he told Tariceanu of his intentions on Saturday, and although the head of government backs him, his resignation would be accepted.

The minister’s entire press conference was a response to President Traian Basescu, and Chiuariu even started the conference addressing “Mister Basescu”.

Chiuariu said he thinks he did nothing wrong and that he refuses to be part of the president’s masquerade.

"I am calm and confident. I don’t depend on this political position and I’m not intimidated. I will resign, but I promise you this: when this whole ridiculous thing ends, I’ll be back to finish what I’ve started and reform the legal system all the way," Chiuariu said.

The president on Friday urged for the dismissal of the justice minister, who is under criminal investigation.

It would be very serious if minister Chiuariu were to appear in front of the prosecutors while still in office, Basescu said.

Sending the justice minister to court denotes “a failure of the legal system” in any country, the head of state added.

Earlier this week, Chiuariu told the prime minister he is considering resignation, following the parliament’s failure to enact the ordinance amending the law on the National Integrity Agency, which was set up to screen politicians' wealth in a move to crack down top-level corruption.

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.