As Romanian PM announces intention to give up PhD title two years after plagiarism accusations, Govt. amends Education Law

The Romanian Government recently amended the Education Law through an emergency ordinance by introducing an article that gives PhD holders the right to give up the title based on a request to the Ministry of Education. The legislation did not regulate such a situation. Prime Minister Victor Ponta, who announced two weeks ago that he wants to give up his PhD in law, will have to submit an application to the Ministry of Education, said the Education Minister Sorin Cimpeanu. So far, the PhD title could only be withdrawn by court order, Cimpeanu added. If the PM wants to get back his doctor degree, he will have to follow the whole doctoral studies cycle again, this time by paying fees, as the state provides free schooling for a certain form of education only once. The PM's choice to give up his PhD has triggered comments, as some political pundits believe this is a confirmation that he in fact plagiarized in his PhD thesis. Plagiarism accusations kept headlines and stirred a heated political dispute two and a half years ago. Some of Ponta's opponents however say that merely giving up the title is not enough, as the PhD title helped Ponta advance more rapidly in his career as a prosecutor and later politician, and brought him other proffesional and political benefits which would have not been possible without his degree. He was never oficially investigated for plagiarism. Diana Mesesan, diana@romania-insider.com; additions by Corina Chirileasa , corina@romania-insider.com (photo source: Freeimages.com)