Culture Minister Demeter András István announced his resignation on Monday, after the emergence of an audio recording attributed to him, in which he is heard using vulgar language in a private discussion with subordinates.

In his resignation letter, Demeter wrote: 'Esteemed Mr. Prime Minister, following the emergence in the public space of an audio recording, I would like to make it clear that I have approached the Prosecutor's Office attached to the competent court to initiate the necessary steps to verify the authenticity of the material. As we are going through an unprecedented political situation, the only decision capable of not further complicating the government's position is to submit to you my honorary resignation from the public dignity of Minister of Culture. While awaiting your decision, I assure you, Mr. Prime Minister, of my highest consideration and I thank you and all members of the Cabinet for the trust granted and the support shown throughout my mandate. I remain hopeful that the truth will come to light without overshadowing the activity of the Executive, the governing coalition, the party that nominated me and the national community I belong to.'

Initially, Demeter described the statements in the recording as 'surprising'.

In a video message released by the Ministry of Culture, he said: 'Certain statements have been attributed to me that I do not recall making. I have been attributed statements of a gravity that are contradicted by my acts and deeds, by my achievements in public life since 1993. I am being attributed a conduct that does not characterise me. I do not recall such a statement on my part. I do not recall saying those words. I do not believe I am the person who says he doesn't care about the national interest.'

Demeter added that he has no other explanation than that someone is plotting to discredit him. 'Through me, through an expression put into my mouth - with or without modern technology, with or without the help of artificial intelligence - that remains to be seen. I will have to, and I will, take steps so that the competent authorities carry out the necessary analyses to say whether that recording is indeed authentic or not. And if this proves to be true, then I am prepared to do everything that must be done, and there isn't much I have to do. I must step down from the position I hold, I must apologise to everyone for the mistake I have allegedly made.'

UDMR Chairman Kelemen Hunor called the language used in the recording 'unacceptable' and urged Demeter to resign and apologise publicly. He said the remarks risked stigmatizing the Hungarian community and that 'there is no place in our political community for vulgar or coarse language, or for irresponsible jokes about Russian interests.'

Other UDMR leaders also distanced themselves. Party spokesperson Csoma Botond called the resignation 'a natural and responsible gesture', while Development Minister Cseke Attila stressed that UDMR has always acted in Romania's national interest.

AUR deputy Mihail Neamtu, chair of the Chamber of Deputies' Culture Committee, also criticised the language attributed to the UDMR-appointed minister, saying it degraded public discourse and showed disrespect toward Romania and its values. He argued that a member of the government should not turn public office into a platform for attacking the national interest. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)