Diana Buzoianu announces deadlock on the ANM Board / Budget and director’s evaluation at an impasse

Acting Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu announced that the decision on whether to retain or dismiss the director of the National Meteorological Administration, Elena Mateescu, belongs to the ANM Board of Directors, but the body has been nonfunctional for several months due to the lack of a quorum.

The minister stated that the report by the Control Corps, which identifies irregularities in the institution’s procurement, will be sent to the Board of Directors as well as to the competent authorities. Two proposals to fill interim positions on the board were rejected by AMEPIP on the grounds that the nominees did not meet the criterion regarding management experience.

Buzoianu submitted a third proposal, for a specialist with experience in auditing and the financial sector, and is awaiting AMEPIP’s response. According to the minister, the deadlock could prevent the approval of the ANM budget until the end of October and could generate financial risks.

The scandal erupted after the Control Corps identified direct purchases worth millions of lei, including perfumes and clothing items. Buzoianu called for the management’s resignation and announced that she would notify the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Court of Accounts. Elena Mateescu maintains that she did not use the institution’s card and that she notified the authorities as early as August 12, 2026.