Romania's new ministers sworn in

Romania's new justice minister and three other officials took their oaths of office as ministers in front of President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday, marking the completion of the cabinet reshuffle.

The president signed earlier in the day decrees appointing to office the justice minister, the economy minister, the minister of business environment, trade and entrepreneurship, as well as the minister delegate for European funds.

The appointment of a new justice minister was the core of the cabinet reshuffle announced Wednesday by Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu.

Former constitutional judge Tudorel Toader, incumbent rector of a famous Romanian university, was proposed to take over the justice portfolio, becoming the only technocrat in the coalition government of the Social Democrat Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats.

Former Justice Minister Florin Iordache had to resign on Feb. 9 amid amid anti-government protests in the country following the adoption of a emergency ordinance formulated by his ministry that, according to the opposition and protesters, would likely prevent some politicians charged with crimes from being punished.

The authorities had to annul the ordinance to quell the mass protests.

The government led by Sorin Grindeanu took office on Jan. 4, after an election victory in December 2016.

Source: Xinhua