Romanian deputy PM resigns after losing party support

Romania’s deputy prime minister and regional development minister Paul Stanescu resigned from the cabinet led by PM Viorica Dancila on Monday, November 26, local News.ro reported. Stanescu lost his party’s support for this position after he asked for Liviu Dragnea’s resignation from the helm of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) in October. PSD’s Executive Committee decided recently to reshuffle the government and replace several ministers, including Stanescu. The party nominated former business environment minister Ilan Laufer to replace him. However, president Klaus Iohannis refused to appoint Laufer in this important position. He also refused to appoint former labor minister Lia Olguta Vasilescu as transport minister instead of Lucian Sova. PSD came up with new proposals, namely Lia Olguta Vasilescu for development minister and Mircea Draghici, PSD’s treasurer, for transport minister. Iohannis said he would not appoint any new ministers until after the National Day celebrations. editor@romania-insider.com