First Reshuffle of Grindeanu Cabinet

The Social Democrat Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu has made important changes in his cabinet

Florentin Căpitănescu, 24.02.2017, 13:16

Less than two months after its installation, the leftist government in Bucharest has seen its first reshuffle, having suffered a major blow to its image after a failed attempt to amend the criminal codes. Two ministers resigned over the move, the business minister Florin Jianu and the justice minister Florin Iordache.

Besides finding replacements for the two empty posts, PM Sorin Grindeanu also made other changes to his cabinet team, reshuffling the position of economy minister and that for European funds. The four new ministers are Tudorel Toader for the justice ministry, Mihai Tudose for the economy ministry, Rovana Plumb for the ministry for European funds and Alexandru Petrescu, who now occupies the post of business minister.

They were all sworn in on Thursday before President Klaus Iohannis, who said he was hoping the new arrivals would bring added value to the Grindeanu Cabinet. The new justice minister Tudorel Toader has undoubtedly the most difficult task in replacing Florin Iordache, the author of the now infamous emergency decree no. 13 adopted on the 31st of January that led to the biggest street demonstrations in Romanias post-communist history. An apolitical figure with a lot of experience in the legal field and a good reputation, Toader was praised by the very man believed to be behind the now defunct decree no. 13, the leader of the ruling Social Democratic Party, Liviu Dragnea:

Liviu Dragnea: “The arguments used by the Prime Minister are the same ones I would have considered: undeniable professional reputation, a deep knowledge of constitutional law, a specialist in law and the fact that he is a member of the Venice Commission. Tudorel Toader has not been requested, nor will he be requested, to join the party.

As soon as the new ministers were sworn in, Prime Minister Grindeanu outlined their tasks. He asked the economy minister, for example, to find ways to revitalise the defence industry:

Sorin Grindeanu: “Our defence budget is, as you know, 2%. I would like that most of this sum be spent in Romania so that we can help the national defence industry.

Sorin Grindeanu wants the business minister to work on the prevention bill, a piece of legislation that would focus on preventing companies from receiving sanctions for violating legal provisions. The new minister for European funds has the main task of attracting this year 5.2 billion euros, the target set by the government.

(translated by: Cristina Mateescu)