Dragoș Anastasiu submitted his resignation as deputy prime minister of the Ilie Bolojan government, a little over a month after taking office, following revelations that his companies bribed an ANAF inspector. He admitted the facts, which took place between 2009-2017, both before DNA prosecutors and judges.
In a press conference, Anastasiu explained his decision: “At this moment, in this climate, it is clear to me that I can no longer help. No matter what I say, no matter what I do, the process of denigration will continue, based on facts but taken to the extreme. That is why in talking to the Prime Minister I told him that I will do more harm than good and it is time for me to step back or step sideways and resign.”
The former deputy prime minister tried to differentiate between types of bribes, saying that his situation amounted to “survival bribes”, not “enrichment”. He firmly maintained that “not for one second” he had not practiced tax evasion and explained why the denunciation of the ANAF inspector took place only after eight years: initially he was aware of the situation, then he lost sight of the information, and the action was taken only after he had full access to the relevant data.
The resignation marks the departure of the first member of the Bolojan cabinet, coming one month and four days after he was sworn in.