Fake diploma controversy forces Romanian defence chief to resign

Romanian Defence Minister Ionuț Moșteanu resigned on Friday, November 28, following a growing scandal over inaccuracies in his academic record that emerged after an investigative report.

The controversy erupted when Libertatea revealed that Moșteanu had falsely stated in his first official CV that he graduated from Athenaeum University—an institution that later confirmed he had never been enrolled. Moșteanu subsequently acknowledged the claim was a “mistake” and produced a different diploma dated 2015.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced that he has accepted Moșteanu’s resignation and will recommend that President Klaus Iohannis appoint Economy Minister Radu Miruță as interim defence minister.

In a formal statement, Moșteanu said he had communicated his resignation to the president, the prime minister, and party leaders.

“Romania and Europe are under assault by Russia. Our national security must be defended at all costs. I do not want discussions about my education and the mistakes I made many years ago to distract those who now lead the country from their difficult mission,” he said.

Moșteanu later clarified in a social media post that his actual degree is a Bachelor of Science in Management obtained in 2015 from Bioterra University, a lesser-known institution. He added that he had attended courses at Athenaeum University in the 1990s and had previously interrupted studies at the more prestigious Computer Engineering University in order to work.

He also admitted to the central error that sparked the scandal. “In a CV that I quickly made in 2016 by using an online template, there remained a mistake which, I admit, embarrasses me. I did not pay much attention to these details at the time. For this, I apologise,” he wrote on Facebook.

The issue, however, extends beyond personal embarrassment. Between 2015 and 2016, Moșteanu held positions as an adviser at the Ministry of Transport and served on the boards of several state-owned companies—roles that, under the legislation then in force, required higher education credentials. To meet those requirements, he submitted a CV listing the Athenaeum University diploma, the only certificate he possessed at the time. He later removed this diploma from his official biography.

After entering Parliament, Moșteanu published a new CV on the Chamber of Deputies’ website, this time omitting any reference to Athenaeum University. Instead, it listed studies at Bioterra University from 1996 to 1999, also in Management. In response to inquiries from Libertatea, Athenaeum University reiterated that Moșteanu had never been among its students.

In a subsequent interview, Moșteanu maintained that his sole university degree is from Bioterra University and that he completed it in 2015. Nonetheless, doubts over his educational background persisted, creating pressure within his party, which has consistently promoted principles of transparency and integrity. Ahead of his resignation, USR leadership convened to address the escalating scandal.

By Tamilla Hasanova