Costly dress puts minister on defensive

ROMANIA'S tourism minister, Elena Udrea, has admitted wearing a dress that costs as much as many Romanians make in more than a month.

She told B1 TV that clothes are one of her few joys in life, and the star-printed Dolce & Gabbana dress was a gift from her businessman husband that cost €900 (785).

Critics had accused Ms Udrea - known for her love of expensive shoes - of being insensitive during the economic situation in Romania, where the average national monthly salary is €320.

In the TV interview, Udrea said her passion for clothes started when she was growing up in the provinces, where her family were not well-off. She accused Romanian journalists of misogyny, arguing that male politicians who wear expensive clothes do not get the same the scrutiny. "Had I known what passions and discussion the dress would fire, I'd never have worn it," she said.