PM Victor Ponta sacked the deputy president of Romania's energy regulator (ANRE) Petre Lificiu yesterday ( May 31 ) over what Ponta described as “arrogant” comments. Lificiu is reported to have belittled people complaining about the upcoming increase in domestic energy prices and dismissed the rise as inconsequential, saying "Five percent means nothing. It means we won't leave the bathroom light on when we go to work."

Ponta said such remarks would provoke public anger against government. Whatever Ponta's reasons, the remarks probably don't make the authorities appear caring and sympathetic, instead casting them as sneering villains with no sympathy for the population's woes.

After the new Government from the Social Liberal Union took office, Socialist leader Victor Ponta initially said only Ministers and State secretaries would change, but has since started firing heads of diifferent local institutions and agencies.

The head of the National Agency for Property Restitution (ANRP), Dorina Danielescu was dismissed. She had been appointed in 2011 by former prime Minister Emil Boc, now the leader of the opposition. Her seat was taken by George Baesu, former MP from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Vrancea.

The PM also dismissed Alexandru Pătruţi, the head of the National Agency for Mineral Resources (ANMR), replacing him with Gheorghe Dutu, former MP from PSD Brasov.
The head of the State Inspectorate for Constructions, Constantin Grajdean, was also fired as was Doina Pârcălabu, the president of the Pensions House.

The head of the National health Insurance House (CNAS), Lucian Duta resigned. After his resignation, the PM said he had signed the bills to cash in the claw back tax, which endangers the system. The PM also decided to dismiss Cristina Traila, head of the National Authority for Regulation and Monitoring of Public Acquisitions. Several heads of state companies were also axed in May.

editor@romania-insider. com