Dragoș Pîslaru, the new Romanian Minister of European Funds in Ilie Bolojan’s Government, published on Monday night an extensive message on social media, in which he announces that he received „the first death threat from an unknown person” and accuses the Realitatea.net website of launching „the first wave of denigration.”
„It is a great honor and responsibility for me,” writes Pîslaru, thanking those who congratulated him after his official appointment. At the same time, he warns that he will no longer tolerate attacks and insinuations in the public space: „This time I will not let them flow, because it is already enough.”
„I have informed the authorities regarding the threatening message and will sue Realitatea,” announces the new minister, adding that „for years, the same voices have ground me with insinuations and unfounded accusations.”
Pîslaru reviews his involvement in the private sector and rejects accusations related to alleged conflicts of interest:
"I had a package of shares of approximately 30% in a consultancy company that grew from scratch in Romania (...) In 2015, when I was co-opted into the Cioloș Government, I withdrew from the company, transferring the share package to a fellow director (...) In 2019, when I was elected as a Member of the European Parliament, I completely exited the company and have had no connection with it since then. No income, no shares, no relationship."
"The multinational company remained active in Romania and provided services to the public and private sector, without any connection to me. And it will continue to do so, without any connection to me, because it is a multinational consultancy present in 18 countries."
"The reality is that my activity and that of the team have been appreciated by everyone I collaborated with (...) I have worked with the private sector, from multinationals to SMEs (...) I have coordinated and participated in key strategies for attracting further European funds."
"I have not committed any illegal actions. I have not been involved in any politically tinged transactions. I have not worked with local barons or politicians, only with technical teams at the local or central level."
"Enough, find another target, because it is sufficient. Pick on whoever you want, but my professional career is spotless, and you will receive a notification from my lawyer," announces Pîslaru.
Finally, he states that he will focus his energy on his ministerial work:
"I now have a big mandate and responsibility ahead, and I will focus on modernizing the country, not on slander, insults, and threats (...) Starting tomorrow, I will focus on my work, as there is much to be done."
On Monday, the members of the new Government received the vote of investiture in Parliament and took the oath at the Cotroceni Palace.