Romanian Culture Minister resigns after court finds positions as MP and head of theater incompatible

Romanian Culture Minister Mircea Diaconu (in picture) resigned from the helm of the ministry after the High Court of Cassation and Justice decided Diaconu's jobs as a Senator and the head of the Nottara theater between 2008 and 2011 were incompatible.

On Tuesday evening, after media discussion of the story, Diaconu announced his resignation, saying he did not want to harm the Government’s image. He had already contested the report that found a conflict of interests between his positions as an MP a theater boss.

Senator Puiu Hasotti from the National Liberal Party (PNL) was proposed for the Culture Ministry seat. Hasotti is a doctor in archeology and has been member of the culture commission in the Parliament for several terms. The court decision on Diaconu came after the National Integrity Agency had issued a similar decision, that the minister later appealed in court. When the decision becomes final, Diaconu will no longer be an MP and he will not be able to hold jobs in public office for three years. Mircea Diaconu is a well known Romanian actor and former acting teacher. Until 2004, he was member of the Audiovisual Council (CNA). editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Wikipedia commons)