Liberal MP Nini Sapunaru (in picture) is Romania’s National Liberal Party PNL’s recent nomination for the Transport Minister position, according to the local media.

The Romanian MP recently said, during a TV show at Realitatea TV, that he was called and asked if he accepts PNL president Crin Antonescu’s proposal. “I am honored by the proposal. I expect the party's decision on Sunday,” he added.

However, Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta doesn't agree with PNL's proposal and asked Crin Antonescu to make a new nomination for this position, political sources told local news agency Mediafax.

Nini Sapunaru, 50, was born in Focsani, Vrancea county, and has been a member of the Liberal National Party since 1990. He graduated from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest and he holds a PhD in economics. Since 2005, he is president of PNL’s branch in Vrancea .

Sapunaru holds 50 percent in F&C Consulting Bucuresti and 49.5 percent in SC Europroiect SRL, a company with activities in engineering and technical consulting.

After the previous Transport Minister Relu Fenechiu was found guilty by a court and was sentenced to five years in prison in a white collar crime case, Romania is set to have a new Transport Minister.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta first nominated liberal MP Ovidiu Silaghi for the job, in July. However, Silaghi on Monday (August 19) withdrew his candidacy for the position of Transport Minister, after prosecutors from the Anti-Corruption Department DNA announced that it would ask the Chamber of Deputies for permission to start criminal proceedings against him, being suspected of influence peddling during his previous term as Transport Minister in 2012.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: pnl.ro)