Romania Environment Minister Accuses Weather Agency of Illegal Direct Contracts

Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu said on Sunday that a Ministry of Environment control body found the National Meteorological Administration (ANM) awarded direct contracts worth millions of lei over the past four years for toner, computers, laptops and furniture, despite values exceeding the legal threshold for direct awards. Buzoianu stated toner purchases alone reached 400,000 lei in 2023, 710,000 lei in 2024 and 570,000 lei in 2025, while computer and laptop contracts hit 850,000 lei in a single year. The legal limit for direct procurement is 270,000 lei.

The findings follow earlier revelations that ANM official credit cards were used for personal luxury items including perfumes, clothing and a luxury bra costing over 1,000 lei. Buzoianu called for the resignation of ANM Director General Elena Mateescu over the irregularities.

“Direct purchases upon direct purchases, with values of millions of lei in the last 4 years, made in violation of legislation, at ANM.”

Mateescu rejected the resignation demand, stating she did not hide irregularities but requested an internal audit and reported suspicious procurements to police on August 12. She said she informed Buzoianu via WhatsApp that day but received no response. Mateescu also denied the entire Public Procurement Department resigned, saying only two employees who held institutional cards left.

In a live interview, Mateescu said she had no direct dialogue with Buzoianu about the scandal despite informing the minister in August. She said the situation unfairly tarnishes the 900 colleagues working at ANM. The control body visited ANM between July 5-7, after which Mateescu requested an internal audit.