A generous sponsor of the ruling Liberal Democrat Party (PD-L) was nominated to replace the resigning sports minister after a scandal over money spent to organize Youth Day on May 2 and rerouted into the election campaign of the president’s younger offspring.

Luminita Placinta, a senator representing the eastern county of Vrancea in Parliament, was handed the ministry’s helm yesterday evening, after the former minister Monica Iacob Ridzi announced her departure.

Once a textile worker, now a minister

A former textile worker turned into an influent businesswoman in Vrancea, Placinta (44) joined PDL less than a year ago, and rumors have it she is now a minister thanks to her generous donations to the party.

Ridzi left the ministry top position after media hype over the way money was spent a few months ago to organize celebrations of the Youth Day. She said she gave in to pressures stemming from schemes of political opponents. Ridzi was badmouthed to have spent money on the electoral campaign of the president’s youngest daughter, Elena Basescu, who recently made it to the European Parliament.

PDL rules the country alongside the Social Democrat Party (PSD) and took the government lead after tough negotiations following the November 30 Parliament elections last year, which ousted the Liberal Party (PNL) into the opposition seats.

PNL slammed the move, pointing the finger at prime minister Emil Boc and president Traian Basescu, accused of deciding the successor by themselves.

Basescu, a former ruler of PDL until elected president in 2004, is seen as the man who does the shadow orchestrating behind the party and commands the prime minister around.

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Un sponsor PDL ia locul lui Ridzi