Pro Romania chairman Victor Ponta gives up the MEP mandate. Corina Cretu files resignation as European Commissioner

Pro Romania chairman, former Prime Minister Victor Ponta, has announced on Thursday he gives up the mandate of MEP. Ponta added he has informed the Standing Electoral Authority, so the Pro Romania MEPs will be Corina Cretu and Mihai Tudose (also former Prime Minister), local media inform.

Victor Ponta was first on the Pro Romania lists for European Parliament election. His party won two MEP seats. Mihai Tudose was on the third position on the party list.

Wednesday evening, Ponta announced that European Commissioner for Regional Development Corina Cretu has filed her resignation from this position, in view of her term as MEP.

He warned that whoever may take her position could have a tough stance on Romania about European funds, digi24.ro informs.

“It’s bad news: As of July 2, Corina Cretu will no longer be European Commissioner, she has filed the resignation to Mr. Juncker. She will be MEP. She will be replaced by someone else, maybe Mr. Katainen, who is a very tough and rigid guy, in a sort of speaking,” Ponta said. He warned it will be tougher to access European funds and that the new European Commission in office as of this autumn will be tougher in terms of budgetary deviations.

Five of the current European commissioners have been elected MEPs, including Corina Cretu, Commissioner for Regional Development.