Demeter Andr\u00e1s resigned on Monday, May 25, from his position as interim culture minister after a leaked audio recording sparked controversy in Romania. The resignation came after Kelemen Hunor, the leader of the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), publicly asked him to step down over remarks described as vulgar and unacceptable.<\/p>\n
The recording, published by local news website 2mnews.ro<\/a>, was reportedly made inside the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture in November last year. In the conversation, Demeter reportedly recalled a 2012 episode when he was questioned in a case linked to the acquisition of Radio Chi\u0219in\u0103u by Romania\u2019s public broadcaster, which he led at the time.<\/p>\n According to local reports, the leaked audio includes vulgar remarks about the concept of \u201cnational interest\u201d of Romania and references to the culture minister\u2019s Hungarian identity. Demeter Andr\u00e1s, in turn, argued that the statements had been taken out of context, Euronews Romania<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n In a Facebook post announcing his resignation, Demeter Andr\u00e1s apologized for generating tension and division in society.<\/p>\n \u201cI have never clung to a position. When I felt it was the right thing to do, I gave up my mandate as theater director, as head of public radio, and I am doing the same now, placing my ministerial mandate on the prime minister\u2019s desk. Without hesitation,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cUnlike previous situations, now I also have to apologize for involuntarily generating unrest and division in our society, already burdened by tensions. I apologize to those who feel offended and to those who feel betrayed,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n He also said he remains convinced that his actions \u201cin the national cultural interest\u201d demonstrate the opposite of the accusations currently being made against him.<\/p>\n\n UDMR leader Kelemen Hunor condemned the language used in the recording and said there is \u201cno place for vulgar and irresponsible language\u201d in his political community.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Hungarian identity cannot be invoked to justify unacceptable statements,\u201d Hunor wrote, adding that he had personally requested Demeter\u2019s resignation and an apology to those offended by the remarks.<\/p>\n Romanian government spokesperson Ioana Dogioiu later confirmed that interim prime minister Ilie Bolojan had formally acknowledged the resignation, making it irreversible, according to Agerpres<\/a>. She also said Demeter Andr\u00e1s had notified prosecutors in order to verify the authenticity of the leaked recording and noted that UDMR had clearly distanced itself from the controversy.<\/p>\n irina.marica@romania-insider.com<\/p>\n