Romania’s acting Culture Minister, Demeter András István, resigns after a leaked audio recording captures him using vulgar language to insult the national interest of Romania. István announced his decision on Monday, calling it a "resignation of honour," following intense pressure from his own party, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR).
The scandal erupted after a recording from November 2025 surfaced, in which István is heard saying, *"Îmi bag p***, eu sunt ungur!"* ("I don’t give a f***, I’m Hungarian!") and making derogatory remarks about Romania’s national interest. The minister initially demanded an expert analysis to verify the recording’s authenticity but ultimately stepped down before the results were known. UDMR leaders, including party president Kelemen Hunor and parliamentary group leader Csoma Botond, publicly called for his resignation, calling his remarks "unacceptable" and "offensive" .
István defended himself by claiming the statements were taken out of context, arguing they were part of a discussion about his efforts to protect Radio Chișinău from Russian influence. However, the UDMR dismissed this explanation, with party officials stating that his resignation was the "only appropriate response" to the controversy .
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu’s office confirmed accepting István’s resignation, though no immediate replacement has been named. The scandal deepens tensions within the governing coalition, where the UDMR holds key ministerial posts, including Culture. István, a prominent UDMR figure, had served as acting minister since January 2026, following the resignation of his predecessor. His departure leaves the party scrambling to contain the fallout ahead of local elections later this year.
Romanian Culture Minister resigns after vulgar insults spark scandal