Interior minister resigns after quarrel with president over head of police and gendarmery reshuffle

Romanian Interior Minister Vasile Blaga has resigned following the Romanian President's request to replace the heads of the local Police and Gendarmery, according to local media. Blaga will hold a press conference at 11,00 hours today. This comes after last week's unauthorized police rally close to the presidential palace in Cotroceni, when some of the protesters have thrown out their police hats, which has been seen as gesture meant to undermine the state authority. Romanian president Traian Basescu has announced he has given up on his police escort, in response to the rally, and has asked the Interior Minister to sack the head of the Romanian Police and the head of the Romanian Gendarmery. Last week's protesters were standing out against the 25 percent pay cut which has affected the police forces as well. Vasile Blaga is the seventh minister to leave seats this year, following the Government reshuffle earlier this year, when the Economy, Finance, Labor, Agriculture, Communication and Transport heads were replaced. - to be updated - Romania-insider.com