Changes of some Ministers in the Ponta Government

Interim President, Crin Antonescu, signed Monday, the decrees on appointment of new Ministers in Ponta Cabinet, on the list transmitted via the presidential administration and the appointment of Mona Pivniceru to Justice Ministry not being accomplished, but the revocation of Titus Corlatean from this Ministry, according to the presidential communique.

Monday evening was held at Cotroceni palace, the ordination ceremony of investiture for members of the Romanian Government, informing Agerpres.

The Prime Minister Victor Ponta has announced that Mircea Duşa will be Administration and Interior Affairs Minister, Radu Stroe will be delegated Minister for Administration, and replace Ioan Rus and Victor Paul Dobre, who resigned.

Presidential Administration announced for Monday at 20.30, the oath ceremony of investiture for members of the Romanian Government, which will be held at Cotroceni Palace, informs Agerpres.

Minister of Foreign Affairs was appointed Titus Corlățean, Minister for Relations with Parliament was named Dan Șova.

The post of Minister of Justice, remained vacant through the passing of Corlăţean at Foreign Ministry, will be taken over by the former President of the Association of Magistrates in Romania, Mona Pivniceru, current judge and member of the Superior Council of Magistracy.

"The changes that we have discussed today, I repeat, with Mr President, the president of National Liberal Party Mr.Chiţoiu and the president of Conservative Party, Mr Daniel Constantin, as parties to the ruling coalition, I said that decisions should be taken quickly and that including during the day of today, I must submit reshuffle proposals to president Crin Antonescu that I deemed necessary," said Premier Victor Ponta.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta commented that the proposals have been accepted by Crin Antonescu, the interim President and the ceremony of ordination of the new Ministers could be held Monday evening.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta said that he hoped that Andrei Marga, retired from the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to accept new powers which will be granted, without stating what they are.

"The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrei Marga, is a personality that I appreciate very much and who I think still will represent Romania in the best possible way in the functions that I want to accept them in the near future," said the Prime Minister.

The changes were explained by the premier fact that the Government must come out of the logic of war and to respond to attacks from the suspended President Traian Băsescu and PDL only by serious and responsible actions, as people’s expectations.

Victor Ponta commented that it would be desirable that the present formula of governance should be maintained, but that the Government must adapt to the new situation, by measures which do not relate to both changes in people, but to establish a strategy and transmitting a message of stability and predictability.

"I have nothing to reproach to the former ministers Ioan Rus and Victor Paul Dobre. There are people whose professional and moral integrity I appreciate as flawless, people who have made the debt within the Government and that, in this context of irresponsible accusations and hostile from the President suspended Băsescu and his colleagues from PDL, they understood to assume a responsibility that politically should always provide someone "said the premier.

Ioan Rus announced that he had resigned honorary from the post of Minister of Administration and Interior, because as politician he is honest, fair, and in recent days have been made upon him from pressures from Traian Băsescu and continuing with Crin Antonescu, is unacceptable.

Translated by

Denisse-Meda Bucura