Victor Ponta: “The structure of the new government reflects the idea of a clearer and more direct responsibility of each member. To have one person in charge of too many areas is not the best solution in my opinion.”

Too anemic to block the swearing in of the new government, the Liberal Democratic opposition only resorted to malicious commentary about what it views as an over-sized government. The Liberal Democrat’s leader, Vasile Blaga:

Vasile Blaga: “When Victor Ponta’s first cabinet was sworn in, he said he wanted a more slender government. Now, Ponta’s second cabinet has 26 members, allegedly to reflect the number of European commissioners. Next year, when Croatia joins the European Union, we will probably have 27 ministers. The truth is that he wanted to please everybody.”

11 of the names proposed for the new government were also part of the old government. The ministers for agriculture, Daniel Constantin, environment, Rovana Plumb, communications, Dan Nica, foreign affairs, Titus Corlatean, justice, Mona Pivniceru and labour, Mariana Campeanu, will stay on. The former interior minister Mircea Dusa will remain in the government but will take over the defence ministry, while the former economy minister Daniek Chitoiu will take over the finance ministry and hold the position of deputy prime minister. The other deputy prime ministers are Liviu Dragnea, who will be responsible for administration and regional development and Gabriel Oprea, a minister without portfolio.

The former minister delegate for administration Radu Stroe will take over the interior ministry, while Dan Sova, a former minister delegate for liasing with Parliament, will become the minister without portfolio responsible for infrastructure projects. The new cabinet also contains some new ministries: the trade and industry ministry led by Varujan Vosganian, the ministry for energy, led by Constantin Nita and the ministry for small and medium sized enterprises, tourism and the business environment, led by Maria Grapini, as well as the ministry for sports and the water and forest ministry.

The ministers delegate will be responsible for budget, scientific research, infrastructure projects, social dialogue and the liaison with Parliament and the Romanians living abroad. The new cabinet may be larger, but not more expensive than the previous cabinet. At least that’s what the prime minister designate Victor Ponta has promised.