Ecaterina Andronescu has been nominated as Education Minister, and George Ciamba will replace Victor Negrescu as Minister Delegate for European Affairs, according to the decision adopted by the PSD leadership on Tuesday. According to Gabriela Firea, there was unanimity for Andronescu during the PSD leadership’s meeting, while in Ciamba’s case there were two abstentions. Andronescu, who held this office before, is set to take over the portfolio, considering that Rovana Plumb’s stint as acting Education Minister expires on Friday. Ahead of the PSD leadership’s meeting, Ecaterina Andronescu had a discussion with Liviu Dragnea and Premier Viorica Dancila. Ecaterina Andronescu has lately criticised PSD leader Liviu Dragnea, whom she has asked to step down from the helm of the party. George Ciamba, currently secretary of state within the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE), will take over the office vacated as a result of Victor Negrescu’s resignation. PM Viorica Dancila: For Education, European Affairs we proposed experienced people, who bring added value Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on Tuesday stated that she proposed people with experience for the offices of Minister of National Education and European Affairs, who can bring added value – Ecaterina Andronescu and secretary of state with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs George Ciamba. “Considering that there are 45 days since we have an interim Minister of National Education, we came today with the proposal to appoint Mrs Ecaterina Andronescu. For the Ministry of European Affairs we proposed George Ciamba as Minister-delegate. We came with these proposals for I strongly believe we need experienced people, with expertise, for these are two important portfolios and we need to consider people who can bring added value. (…) Romania is on schedule with the preparations for taking over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union and I believe that any statement that can throw a shadow of a doubt on this can only do harm to Romania. We are almost there, we are on schedule,” stated the PM, at the end of the meeting of the National Standing Bureau (BPN) of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). Asked if he re-assessed Ecaterina Andronescu’s case, the PSD leader, Liviu Dragnea, said he accepted the proposals made by Prime Minister Viorica Dancila. “I don’t make re-assessments. It was Mrs PM who came with the two proposals, which were voted in the BPN sitting,” said Dragnea.
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