The Romanian government official in charge of preparing the country to take over the European Union’s rotating presidency at the start of next year has resigned, officials said on November 10.
Victor Negrescu stepped down on November 9, officials said.
European Funds Minister Rovana Plumb said members of the party that leads Romania’s coalition government were not satisfied with Negrescu’s work in building good relations within the EU’s executive branch.
Commentators say Negrescu is considered a moderate within the left-wing Social Democracy Party.
The EU and United States have criticized the government in Bucharest for changes in the judiciary that Brussels and Washington fear will undermine the fight against corruption in the country.
Romania is due to take up the EU's rotating presidency on January 1.