Romanian prime minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu could once again take over as interim foreign minister while he looks for a permanent replacement for Adrian Cioroianu, who resigned on April 11, according to reports in Romanian-language media.

Culture minister Adrian Iorgulescu from the Liberal party said on April 14 that Tariceanu would take over the portfolio for the time being, as quoted by Adevarul daily.

But after the meeting of the party's executive body the party, who is the senior party in the minority cabinet, later on the same day, Liberal vice-president Teodor Melescanu said Tariceanu was "not thrilled" by the prospect.

A decision could be made later this week, when the Liberal leaders are scheduled to meet again to discuss potential nominees, who would be drawn from the ranks of career diplomats and senior party members, news agency Newsin reported.

Cioroianu resigned after the row caused by the ministry's alleged mishandling of the case involving a Romanian national who died in January in a Polish hospital following a hunger strike, which he started to protest his arrest by authorities in Warsaw.

Cioroianu admitted his resignation was caused by the case, but refused to take any blame for the criticism levelled at himself and the ministry. "The blame was never with the minister, but a human life is more important than the ministerial portfolio," Cioroianu told reporters at a news conference late on April 11.

"In such cases, there is a political price that has to be paid. I don't want my friends, colleagues or liberal [party] supporters to pay this price. Over the past several days, I've receive uncountable messages of support from members of the cabinet and the Liberal party, from the ministry and the public at large. I've received messages from members of the European Parliament, who still consider me their colleague. I want to thank them all," Cioroianu said.

Cioroianu was appointed foreign ministry in April 2007, his protracted nomination providing the excuse for another conflict between Tariceanu and president Traian Basescu, who refused to endorse Cioroianu's nomination.

Tariceanu stuck by Cioroianu despite intense media criticism that dogged him throughout his time in office, but even the prime minister joined in the chorus of accusatory voices last week, saying that the foreign ministry was showing a distinct lack of professionalism.

"I think there is a regrettable phenomenon happening at the foreign affairs ministry. The level of professionalism that I remember at the foreign ministry is not there nowadays," Tariceanu said on April 10. He criticised the ministry's slow reaction and inability to deal with other cases involving Romanian nationals abroad.

Tariceanu served as interim foreign minister last year, during his dispute with Basescu regarding Cioroianu's appointment. Until a decision is made on who will replace Cioroianu, the day-to-day running of the ministry will be overseen by deputy minister Dana Matache, the former charge d'affaires of the Romanian embassy in London, promoted to deputy minister in January, Evenimentul Zilei daily said.