Teodor Melescanu resigned on Tuesday from the foreign minister position, arguing it is an honorable move for not all Romanians in Diaspora succeeded in voting in the runoff. He said he came to this decision “in a country where nobody takes anything upon oneself.” Resigning foreign minister also apologized Romanians who were queuing for hours to cast their votes.
“We could not open more polling stations, as the Central Electoral Bureau could not clarify if there is a solution to supplement the existing polling stations. We assume responsibility to make the voting process accessible and a record number of votes were cast abroad in the run-off election.
I regret other breakdowns and I apologize Romanians who were queuing for hours to cast their vote. Citizens are not responsible for that, but the existing inflexible legal framework. But not all Romanians living abroad managed to vote and this thing must be assumed. I, as an honorable man, I take it on my shoulders and I resign,” he said.
Teodor Melescanu took over the Foreign Ministry portfolio on November 10, after Titus Corlatean resigned against critics over Diaspora vote. Corlatean stated back then that there is no legal ground to set up new polling stations abroad for the runoff voting.
Right after Melescanu announced his resignation, premier Victor Ponta informed he would nominate Mihnea Motoc, Romanian ambassador to EU, for the Foreign ministry portfolio. Ponta submitted nomination to President Traian Basescu and the head of state signed the decree appointing Motoc on Tuesday night.
PM Ponta stood up for Melescanu, saying he did his best for organizing presidential elections abroad and that the legislation and logistics part has to be amended.