BUCHAREST (AFP) - Romania's finance minister, Daniel Chitoiu, announced his resignation on Thursday after anti-corruption officials launched a probe against his wife for suspected graft.

"I have decided to focus more on activities in the National Liberal Party as we have two very important elections this year, the European elections and the presidential election," said Mr Chitoiu, who was also a deputy prime minister in the centre-left governing coaltion.

Mr Chitoiu denied his resignation had anything to do with the scandal swirling around his wife.

Late last month, anti-corruption prosecutors said they had started criminal proceedings against his wife, Laura Chitoiu, for abusing her spousal position and from her previous position heading up a financial surveillance agency.