Romanian PM Emil Boc says Environment minister will stay despite inquiry

Prime minister Emil Boc said on Thursday that Environment minister Laszlo Borbely stays as a member of the Romanian Government as no official inquiry has been launched against him, news agency Agerpres reports. His statement comes as suspicions of Borbely’s involvement in a traffic of influence case emerged earlier this week.

Asked about a possible replacement of the Environment minister, PM Boc said that as no official investigation has been launched against him he remains a member of the Government.

On Wednesday, Hungarian Democratic (UDMR) minister Borbely had said following talks with UDMR leaders that he was not involved in any way in a traffic of influence case about which he „learned about from the press”. He said a press release related to the case which had been issued by the National Anti-Corruption Department (DNA), mentioning him as a suspect, was unfounded.

According to DNA suspicions, the minister was the alleged beneficiary of works worth 20,000 euro at an apartment owned by one of his relative, in exchange for his influence in giving Romanian Waters National Administration contracts to a firm in Negresti Oas, NW Romania.