Romanian former ministers Câciu and Ivan criticised over finance and energy comments

Former Finance Minister Adrian Câciu attracted sharp ridicule after posting on Facebook that OMV Petrom shares traded on the Bucharest Stock Exchange could be bought for €100 million and resold on the Vienna exchange for a 26% profit. Analysts pointed out that OMV Petrom (ticker SNP) and Austria’s OMV (ticker OMV) are distinct companies with separate listings, making such arbitrage impossible. Câciu later removed the post.

Former Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan rebutted vice‑premier Oana Gheorghiu’s claim that Craiova’s municipal authority owned part of the state‑run Electrocentrale Craiova. Ivan clarified that the state holds 77.15% of the company through the Energy Ministry, with Fondul Proprietatea holding 21.55%, and that the city has no shareholding or decision‑making role. He also highlighted the firm’s recent financial strain, including borrowing nearly €70 million in CO₂ certificates and a €1.8 billion state‑backed credit line, leading to insolvency concerns.