Romania: minister who quit amid opera dispute, wants to stay

BUCHAREST, Romania – Romania’s culture minister who resigned over his failure to resolve a bitter dispute at Romania’s main opera house involving internationally acclaimed ballerina Alina Cojocaru, says he has changed his mind.

It may be too late. Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos has said he will appoint a new minister Tuesday.

Vlad Alexandrescu said Tuesday he was proud of his achievements as minister, referring to reforms he began in the film industry and said he wanted to remain to ensure further reforms.

Alexandrescu resigned on Wednesday after three shows were cancelled at the Bucharest National Opera due to a conflict between Johan Kobborg, a Danish ballet dancer and choreographer, and interim management.

Some opera employees claim Kobborg was paid too much. Kobborg, who is engaged to Cojocaru, resigned citing tensions with interim management.