Romanian minister resigns following corruption probe

Romanian Finance Minister Darius Valcov has stepped down after an investigation into his alleged abuse of power as a former mayor of the southern city of Slatina.

Valcov submitted his resignation on Sunday, hours after Romanian President Klaus Iohannis called on Prime Minister Victor Ponta to replace the minister, arguing that he was “affecting the activity and credibility of the government”.

The development came two days after prosecutors charged Valcov with influence peddling, saying he was suspected of accepting two million euros (USD 2.11 million) in bribes as the mayor of Slatina between 2010 and 2013.

The Romanian premier told Romania TV that he accepted the resignation, adding he would name a successor after Valcov finalized a new fiscal code to cut taxes in the country. Back in February, Ponta and Valcov announced plans to slash taxes between 2016 and 2019 in the second poorest country in the European Union.

Romania, seen as one of the European Union’s most corrupt member states, has in recent years cracked down on corruption, prosecuting thousands of public servants.

Reports say some seven percent of Romania’s lawmakers elected in 2012 have convictions or are being investigated for graft.

Romania joined the 28-nation bloc in 2007 under special EU monitoring of its anti-corruption fight and judicial reforms.

Iohannis, who won the country’s presidential election in a second round with 54.4 percent of the votes last November, has pledged to make efforts to uproot corruption in Romania.