Romanian PM proposes new Transport Minister, ball in president's court for final OK

After the previous Transport Minister Relu Fenechiu was found guilty by a court and was sentenced to five years in prison in a white collar crime case, Romania is set to have a new Transport Minister. Prime Minister Victor Ponta already proposed Ovidiu Silaghi for the job, and the proposal was set to the country's president on Monday morning (July 22 ). However, the leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL) said president Traian Basescu had told him he'd prefer to have the PM interim at the helm of the Transport Ministry for 45 days until the privatization of CFR Marfa is over. Talks around the new minister and the activity of the Transport Ministry could become heated and lead to a new political quarrel, as the PM already said the president could delay a response on the nomination, hoping to create a criminal file for the PM himself for his activity as interim at the Transport Ministry. The PM also said there's no logical reason for him to lead the ministry as interim, as the price for the majority package in railways freight company CFR Marfa has to be paid 60 days after the contract is signed. Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry is in effect being coordinated by state secretary Cristian Ghibu, for whom the PM will vouch. Silaghi, a member of the National Liberal Party (PNL) is an MP in the Chamber of Deputies, representing hims home area of Satu Mare. He was previously Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, as well as Transport Minister in 2012. editor@romania-insider.com