Romanian Justice Minister Resigns After Losing Ruling Party's Support

Tudorel Toader (file photo)

Romania's justice minister said he will resign after losing the support of the governing Social Democratic Party (PSD).

Tudorel Toader said in a statement on April 18 that he would submit his resignation to Prime Minister Viorica Dancila. He had said hours earlier that he would stay in his post.

The PSD had accused Toader of blocking emergency decrees planned by the government and had put pressure on him to resign.

The resignation by Toader is also seen as connected to a failure to pass legislation that many critics view as aimed at weakening efforts to crack down on political corruption in Romania.

The EU has been highly critical of the draft law.

Toader had controversially fired the head of Romania's national anti-corruption agency (DNA), Laura Koevesi, and a main Koevesi supporter, state prosecutor Augustin Lazar.

Koevesi is a leading candidate for a top anti-corruption post with the EU in Brussels.

Social Democratic leader Liviu Dragnea, is blocked from becoming prime minster due to a conviction in 2016 for vote-rigging, and he is currently appealing a 2018 corruption conviction

Based on reporting by AP and dpa