Eugen Nicolaescu eyes the position of BNR deputy governor, previously held by Bogdan Olteanu

The Social Democrat Party (PSD) will give up the central bank deputy governor position, vacant following Bogdan Olteanu’s resignation amid corruption charges, to give it to the National Liberal Party (PNL). SocDem sources told local media on Thursday that Liberal deputy Eugen Nicolaescu, former Health minister, will be proposed for this position.

The position had belonged to the PNL, according to a previous political algorithm, which designated Bogdan Olteanu back then.

Later on, after the general elections in December, ruling PSD has claimed the position, which had been vacant since August 2016.

Social Democrat sources revealed the ruling party is giving the position up back to PNL. Liberal sources confirmed, saying that there was a negotiation with PSD for all the parliamentary-related positions.

The deputy governor of BNR has been vacant after Bogdan Olteanu filed his resignation in August 2016. Anti-corruption prosecutors prosecuted Olteanu for influence peddling in October 2016. He was accused that in 2008, while he was Chamber speaker, had received EUR 1 M and electoral support consisting of marketing and consultancy services in exchange for his interventions to the PM back then, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, to appoint journalist Liviu Mihaiu in the Danube Delta governor position.

Olteanu, third in the BNR hierarachy after governor Mugur Isarescu and first deputy governor Florin Georgescu, is the first central bank high-ranking official investigated for corruption.