Romanian MP Ovidiu Silaghi withdraws candidacy for Transport Minister, prosecutors ask to start criminal proceedings against him

Romanian Ovidiu Silaghi, MP in the Chamber of Deputies, on Monday (August 19) withdrew his candidacy for the position of Transport Minister, and Romania’s National Liberal Party (PNL) will make another proposition soon, according to prime minister Victor Ponta. The new proposal will be presented to the country’s president Traian Basescu. Ovidiu Silaghi was proposed by Victor Ponta for the position of Transport Minister in July, after the former minister Relu Fenechiu stepped down, being sentenced to five years in prison for corruption. Also on Monday (August 19), prosecutors from the Anti-Corruption Department DNA announced that it would ask the Chamber of Deputies for permission to start criminal proceedings against Romanian MP Ovidiu Silaghi, who is suspected of influence peddling during his previous term as Transport Minister in 2012. According to DNA’s statement, Silaghi accepted EUR 200,000 bribe from Romanian businessman Nelu Iordache. In return, the Romanian minister allegedly used his influence on Romanian Highways Authority CNADNR officials to cancel the decision to terminate a contract and to not proceed with the termination of other contracts. Silaghi, a member of the National Liberal Party (PNL) is an MP in the Chamber of Deputies, representing his home area of Satu Mare. He was previously Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, as well as Transport Minister in 2012. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com