Education Minister on disagreements with Prime Minister: I said what I think on fiscal policy

Education and Research Minister Dan Perciun confirmed today that he held a discussion on Tuesday with Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, during which he expressed his views on the budget and fiscal policy for next year. His clarification comes after President Maia Sandu mentioned today, in the context of Alexandru Munteanu’s resignation, that the prime minister’s only objection concerned his “interpersonal relationship” with one of the members of the Government, namely Minister Dan Perciun.

“There was no condition presented by the prime minister regarding restructurings, the fight against corruption or other issues. There was a single objection expressed in the discussions with me, which concerned his interpersonal relationship with one of the members of the Government. It was a discussion about the interpersonal relationship with the Minister of Education and Research. (...) I do not think I am the right person to speak about certain objections or claims that Mr. Munteanu may have had towards the minister. (...) I mentioned that the only grievance that was formulated concerned this interpersonal relationship, which I am not entitled to comment on. It is people’s right to say or not to say what problem they had,” Maia Sandu stated at a press conference held after Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu announced his resignation. Shortly afterwards, Education and Research Minister Dan Perciun confirmed that he had a discussion with the prime minister, which focused on the draft fiscal policy for next year. “ It is true, I had a discussion on Tuesday with the prime minister, a discussion during which I said what I think on the subject of budget and fiscal policy, in particular regarding the way in which certain elements that had not been fully discussed in the Government ended up being included in that budget and fiscal policy and have caused discontent in our society. I have always believed that when there is an opinion, it must be expressed,” Dan Perciun said.

The minister underlined the need for open discussions when complicated issues arise. “ One of the distinctive features we have in the Party of Action and Solidarity, in our organizational culture, is open discussions and debates on issues, even if this sometimes means challenging someone’s opinion. I firmly believe in the need for such discussions and there should be no barriers in this regard. Of course, they must take place in a respectful and correct manner, but at the same time it is important to communicate when we believe that certain things can happen differently, or better, in the future,” the Education Minister added.

Dan Perciun noted that, given the current situation, “certain decisions will have to be taken,” without providing further details.

“ Now, after what has happened, certain decisions will have to be made, but as I have always said, my objective is to continue doing what I am doing at the Ministry of Education. We are in the midst of a curriculum review process, we are in the process of modernizing 90 schools, we are in the process of modernizing universities. There are many things we have started and which I want to see through to the end here, at the Ministry of Education, so that we can truly speak about a qualitative leap in our education system,” Dan Perciun concluded.

This morning, Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu announced that he is stepping down after eight months in office. Shortly afterwards, President Maia Sandu held a press conference in which she announced the launch of consultations with parliamentary factions to nominate a candidate for the position of prime minister.