Romania’s Defense Minister, Ionut Musteanu, announced his resignation on Friday following allegations of falsifying his academic credentials. The resignation comes amidst growing controversy surrounding claims he made in his curriculum vitae (CV) about graduating from a university he never attended.
Musteanu, who was appointed Minister of Defense in June, admitted to including the inaccurate information in his CV. He stated that he did not want the controversy to distract the NATO member state at a time when it and Europe are facing what he described as a “Russian attack.”
“Today, I resigned from my position as Minister of National Defense,” Musteanu wrote in a Facebook post. “Romania and Europe are under Russian attack. Our national security must be defended with everything possible.”
The pressure on Musteanu intensified after a media investigation revealed discrepancies in his CV. The investigation, published on Thursday, highlighted the inaccurate information regarding his academic background.
On the same day, Musteanu apologized for what he called a “mistake that I admit embarrasses me,” explaining that he prepared his CV in 2016 using a template found online. He acknowledged that he should have verified the information more carefully.
Prime Minister Elie Bologan stated that he would propose that the Minister of Economy and Tourism, Radu Mieruta, temporarily assume the responsibilities of the defense portfolio. The government is now searching for a permanent replacement for the position. The resignation highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in public office. The incident underscores the challenges facing Romania and Europe amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
