The Minister of Culture resigns after the scandal of the audio recording in which he swears at the state: “I don't think I'm that person”
Interim Minister of Culture, Demeter András István, has announced that he will resign from his position, following the appearance of an audio recording in which he used insulting expressions against the state and the national interest. The official claims he has no recollection of making those statements and is demanding that the authenticity of the audio be verified by the relevant authorities.
Demeter András István Photo: FB
“Some statements have been attributed to me that I do not remember making, some serious statements have been attributed to me that are contradicted by my acts and deeds, my achievements on the public stage, since 1993,” transmitted the interim Minister of Culture, in a video message.
He insisted that he does not consider himself the author of the statements circulated: “I don't recall such a statement from me ever happening. I don't remember saying those words. I don't think I'm that person who says he's not interested in the national interest.”
At the same time, Demeter András István rejected the idea that he would have ever put the interests of other states above those of Romania or the Republic of Moldova.
“I, in the period 2010-2011, when I was and in 2012, when I was the president of the Radio, I did everything in my power to fix the terror that the Russians did when they shot all the Romanian journalists from Radio Romania in Chisinau, from that period. So, it's nonsense”. said the minister.
She also referred to her previous activity, claiming that during the period in which she led the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company she tried to correct “a difficult time” and mentioned tense contexts related to the Romanian press in the Republic of Moldova.
“I do not deny that such a discussion could have taken place, but never and never in the terms in which that alleged audio recording appears“, he specified, suggesting the possibility of manipulating the material.
“Someone has other interests and wants to discredit everyone, through him, through an expression put in his mouth, with or without modern technology, with or without the help of artificial intelligence.” the minister wrote.
The official announced that he would request the expertise of the registration: “I will take steps for the competent authorities to say whether that recording is indeed authentic or not.”
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If its authenticity is confirmed, the minister states that he is prepared to bear the consequences.
“It remains to be seen. I will have to and I will take the steps so that the competent authorities in the matter of making the respective analyzes say whether that recording is really authentic or not, and if this is true, then I am willing to do everything that is necessary and I do not have to do much. I have to retire from the position I hold, I have to apologize to everyone for the mistake that I would have madeMinister Demeter András István also said.
He emphasized that he apologizes for the situation created: “I apologize for the simple fact that I got into this situation.”
Demeter András István specified that the cited case is from the period in which he held the position of president and member of the Board of Directors of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Company. He also said that, following a purchase of shares through which a radio station that is still active in the Republic of Moldova was acquired, a difficult stage followed, marked by numerous criminal investigations and files, all of which were completed by solutions of classification, non-initiation of criminal prosecution or abandonment of criminal prosecution.
The official described that period as one “a tough mental test and from all points of view”.
“This period remains for me a period of heavy mental trial and from all points of view and any memory of those episodes is a painful one. That is why I do not deny that such a discussion could have taken place, but never and in no way in the terms in which that alleged audio recording appears. (…) This is my statement, this is my voice, these are my mistakes of expression. As you know me, as you may or may not accept me who accept me or not, it remains to be seen what the competent authorities will say”said the minister.
Finally, Demeter András István officially announced his intention to resign.
“I will give up my position as Minister of Culture because I don't want, through a wrong decision, to cause even more problems for this fragile governing coalition, in these very complicated, so difficult, so difficult moments, in this period in which, here is another proof that the polarization of society, the blatant difference of opinions and beliefs reaches unprecedented depths. Thank you for all your support until now, thank you to those who are with me”, said the interim Minister of Culture.
He thanked supporters and critics alike: “Thank you also to those who are in doubt… and to those who send me messages of condemnation.”
UDMR asks the Minister of Culture to resign
A recording appeared in the public space, in which the Minister of Culture, Demeter András István, allegedly used language considered insulting to the Romanian state, triggered a political crisis, with the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania demanding his resignation.
“The UDMR delimits both vulgar language and the content of such statements, incompatible with the responsibility of a public office and likely to affect trust in state institutions and in the values of the public service. For the Union, respect for the public interest, the democratic functioning of institutions and Romania's Euro-Atlantic path represent clear and assumed principles”. MP Csoma Botond, the leader of the UDMR parliamentary group in the Chamber of Deputies, sent on Facebook.
The formation emphasizes that respect for the public interest, the democratic functioning of institutions and Romania's Euro-Atlantic orientation remain fundamental principles publicly assumed.
