Romanian former vice‑premier Dragoș Anastasiu warned of a “suicidal” reform mission by PM Ilie Bolojan

In a podcast interview, entrepreneur and former vice‑premier Dragoș Anastasiu recounted a Sunday‑day phone call from Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan offering him the post of vice‑premier for reforms. Bolojan warned that the role would be a “mission suicidal” and that “very many people will be disturbed” if the government pursued necessary reforms. He told Anastasiu, “don’t expect to be a hero; you’ll be cursed rather than applauded,” emphasizing that the reforms – cutting spending, restructuring institutions and overhauling state‑owned companies – would anger vested interests. Anastasiu said the offer was presented without any promise of popularity, only a stern reminder that the reforms would provoke strong resistance and public criticism. He was left to decide whether to accept a politically independent, reform‑focused mandate that could provoke backlash across Romania’s political and economic elite.