Oprescu mayoral term endorsement yet to be discussed by PSD, PNL

After Bucharest district 5 Mayor Marian Vanghelie said in an interview to “Gandul” daily newspaper that the Social-Democrat Party (PSD) and the National Liberal Party (PNL) “are conducting talks” over endorsing independent Sorin Oprescu for a second mayoral term, officials with the two parties rushed denying such negotiations are taking place. “We have discussed with the Liberals but in principle: to endorse Sorin Oprescu for the Capital, as independent. Talks are underway, why should I lie to you? If he will be the alliance candidate, that’s it, we endorse him, Vanghelie said in the said interview.” However, Mediafax quoted PSD President Victor Ponta as saying Wednesday he had not discussed with PNL leaders about a joint candidate of the two parties for mayor of Bucharest in 2012 elections. “We have not discussed any joint candidate alternative with the Liberals. In my view, the candidate may be Liberal, Social-Democrat or even independent, if this is what the people want,” Ponta said. In his turn, PNL President Crin Antonescu too said there have been no such discussions, neither in the PNL-PC Alliance, nor with the PSD. “It’s a mere supposition. Nobody either ruled it out, or discussed it,” the Liberal leader said.