The recent naming of 27-year old Andreea Lambru as general secretary of the Romanian Government, replacing Dan Mihalache, who resigned earlier this week after being accused of having a conflict of interests by the National Integrity Agency is currently at the heart of a new political scandal in the Romanian media.

With the political campaign in full throttle ahead of the general elections in December, Andreea Lambru soon became subject of the day, after local media claimed to have uncovered a sex scandal in which she was named. She was allegedly involved with three members of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Romanian media suggests her naming and her fast carrier track could have something to do with her personal relationships.

Known as a protege of National Liberal Party member Radu Stroe, whose cabinet she led between 2009 and 2011, Lambru became deputy general secretary of the PNL in 2011, two years after starting her political ascent. She was also on the list to become an MEP but did not make it to the group of PNL members who ended up in the European Parliament representing Romania.

According to the Romanian media, she was brought into PNL by Mihai Balasescu. RTV.net published a story in which the lawyer now claims to have had sex with her in the office of PNL leader Crin Antonescu. So far, it's all allegations. Meanwhile, PM Victor Ponta, who named her, says he did not know anything about her morals and that in general he is not interested in gossip, especially about women. He also argued that Romanian society is still very old fashioned, and will find fault in the past of every woman promoted. “I don't inquire about this stuff,” said the PM during one of his official press conferences, when asked whether he knew about Lambru's past.

The former Secretary General of the Government is also on his replacement's side, he said the alleged sex scandal is a frame up and expressed his solidarity with Lambru. Commentators say this is simply a campaign against the PNL started by some of the media outlets in Romania.

Before joining PNL, Andreea Lambru worked at the Sector 4 city hall, between 2006 and 2007, and until 2009 she was project manager of a company called Prospero.

editor@romania-insider.com