Romania's new ministers receive MPs’ OK, PM withdraws Justice nominee

All the ministers appointed to be part of Romania’s new Government who went for hearings in front of the Parliament’s specialized committees yesterday received favorable opinions from the MPs. Cristina Guseth, who was proposed as Justice Minister, had a performance that many considered below expectations, but she got the Parliament’s justice committee approval in the end. However, the appointed Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos announced on his Facebook page last night that he decided to remove Guseth as proposal for the Justice portfolio, due to her performance.

He said that he didn’t want to weaken the trust in the new Government’s Justice Ministry, in a year that is very important for its activity.

Guseth has been managing the Freedom House foundation for 17 years, but has no law studies, which raised concern among judges in Romania. Ciolos initially supported her, saying that she didn’t need a law degree but credibility. Last night, Ciolos said that he would make a new proposal to the Parliament this morning. On Sunday, Ciolos withdrew another proposal, just hours after announcing the cabinet’s structure. Andrei Baciu, who was proposed for the Health Ministry office and is a 29-year old resident, was considered a bad choice after photos with him posing in underwear some years ago were found on the Internet. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: dacian ciolos on facebook)