site.btaProtest Demanding Romanian Environment Minister Buzoianu's Resignation Held in Bucharest

A protest demanding the resignation of Romanian Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu was held in Bucharest on Tuesday, local media outlets reported. The demonstration, organized by the Social Liberal Humanist Party (PUSL), took place outside the Environment Ministry. PUSL leader Liviu Negoita arrived carrying a bottle of water filled with mud.

"It is unacceptable to claim that the minister is not responsible and that the blame lies with someone who had turned on the tap when you have left more than 100,000 people - elderly, sick individuals, children - without water. In European culture, when a minister fails to manage an event within their area of responsibility, they usually resign. Politically, the minister is responsible for everything that has happened. Whoever else is guilty will be held criminally liable," Negoita said.

The wave of discontent was prompted by a water crisis in Prahova County, where a technical defect in the drainage system of the Paltinu Reservoir left over 100,000 residents without water for more than a week.

On Monday, Buzoianu was summoned by the opposition Alliance for the Union of Romanians to a hearing before the Chamber of Deputies to provide clarification on the crisis. During the debates, she was booed, and MPs from both AUR and the Social Democratic Party called for her resignation.

In an interview with Digi24 last Thursday, Buzoianu said she would not step down, arguing that responsibility for the crisis did not lie with her ministry but with local institutions. On Friday, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said that a minister cannot be held accountable for decisions made by subordinates. Romanian President Nicusor Dan blamed the crisis on the Romanian Waters National Administration.