Although Romania has been without a Minister of Education since December, and the system threatens to strike, PNL is still crunching the numbers. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announces that it will take „weeks” before the party manages to nominate a new head of Education.
„In the immediate future, we will make a nomination. It will take weeks. It will be from the National Liberal Party. It will be supported by PNL,” said Ilie Bolojan on Monday evening on Digi24.
The Prime Minister also specified that there are several names under discussion and rejected the idea that the position remains vacant due to a lack of candidates.
"It's not a correct feeling, but think that last year was a difficult moment for Mr. David, who had to manage this increase in the teaching norm, which was not popular among the teaching staff.
And then, of course, thinking that you have a career that you have built over the years and you can ruin it by taking on a certain position. Please think of me, in what situation I am, after all, I have worked for 20 years in administration, I was a person who did something and in six months you can erase it all, but our country sometimes deserves this and even the field of education deserves it," Bolojan stated.
Without a Minister, but with Protests and Warning Strike
The statements come in the context where the Ministry of Education has been without a head since December, and tensions within the system are escalating. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan took over the portfolio on an interim basis after the resignation of Daniel David, but PNL has not yet managed to designate a replacement.
Meanwhile, the Spiru Haret Free Education Unions Federation announced the initiation of a warning strike during the national exam simulations for 8th and 12th-grade students. The protest is motivated by dissatisfaction with the measures in the austerity package known as the "Bolojan Law."
The warning strike will take place for two hours per day during the simulation period: between March 16 and 18, 2026, for 8th grade and between March 23 and 26 for the Baccalaureate simulation. The decision will be subject to a vote by members through an internal referendum.
Daniel David's Resignation and an Uncertain Portfolio
The position of Minister of Education became vacant on December 22 when Daniel David officially announced his resignation. He spoke then of an "amicable departure" and explained that the education system was no longer in imminent danger, and the risk of suspending European funds had been overcome.
At the same time, Daniel David argued that it is fair for the 2026 budget to be drafted by the minister who will administer it and stated that he had informed Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan since summer that he would not remain in office for long. Political sources indicated at that time that the former minister had refused to continue cuts in Education and Research funding.
On January 13, the Government officially announced that Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan takes over the interim Education portfolio.