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Environment ministry sends meteorology chief to prosecutors over luxury spending

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The director of the National Meteorological Administration is being investigated for allegedly using the agency's budget to buy perfumes, clothes, and lingerie worth over 200,000 lei. The environment ministry has also raised separate questions regarding the potential misuse of a €50m European project, with both matters now referred to the General Prosecutor.

The hunt for a stable government continues as the Prime Minister-designate, Luca Niculescu, prepares to present his cabinet list and program on Thursday. He faces a landscape where Călin Georgescu remains in custody while an associate faces indictment for allegedly spending nearly $300,000 on influencers to buy votes.

Elsewhere, a high-speed rail project started in 2017 has been delayed again, with tunnel work now expected to last until late 2027. Infrastructure and politics moved at a similar pace this week as the Speaker of the Chamber and the caretaker Prime Minister traded barbs over whose irony best addresses the nation's shortages.

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ANM Head Under Investigation for Misuse of Funds

Elena Mateescu, the Director General of Romania's National Meteorological Administration (ANM), is under investigation for alleged lavish spending on luxury items and the potential misuse of a 50 million Euro European project. The interim Minister of Environment, Diana Buzoianu, has forwarded the control body's report to prosecutors for further action.

Prime Minister-Designate Niculescu to Submit Government List This Week

Prime Minister-designate Luca Niculescu announced his intention to submit the list of ministers and the government program this Thursday, indicating progress in forming a new Romanian government. He also addressed questions about potentially resigning before the parliamentary vote, affirming his commitment to the task.

Vote Buying Indictment and Călin Georgescu's Message

Bogdan Peșchir has been indicted by the General Prosecutor's Office for allegedly bribing voters by paying $290,225 to various influencers and supporters of Călin Georgescu. Meanwhile, Călin Georgescu published a short message from custody, thanking his supporters.

Political Exchanges and Miscellaneous Domestic News

Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Sorin Grindeanu and caretaker Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan have engaged in a public exchange regarding the difficulties faced by Romanians. In other domestic news, a judge returned a ceremonial axe to a sovereignist individual, an extreme bedbug infestation was reported, and a high-speed railway project faces significant delays. Additionally, a 70-year-old Soviet-era slogan remains visible on a building in Brașov.