Social Democratic Party (PSD) President Victor Ponta is preparing a big surprise to his fellow Liberal allies, as he contemplates nominating former interior minister Ioan Rus as Cluj mayoral candidate, at least according to yesterday’s issue of the Evenimentul zilei daily newspaper, which says that according to PSD surveys, the opposition could win Transylvania by placing its bet on Ion Rus. However, in order for that to happen, Liberals should give up on choosing a candidate of their own, as negotiated with their Social-Democrat partners. According to the source quoted, the Social-Liberal Union (USL) candidate list decided by Crin Antonescu and Victor Ponta last September might not be set in stone after all, which means it could be renegotiated. For now, Ioan Rus is rather reserved about running for Cluj major, yet PSD leaders are trying to persuade him he could win the chairmanship of the Cluj County Council or the mayor’s seat. In his turn, Marian Vanghelie, PSD Vice-president and Bucharest’s District 5 Mayor, told a televised programme Sunday he would stay with the party only under certain conditions and is also considering setting up a left-wing party along with fellow Social-Democrats from several party branches. He criticised Victor Ponta for shattering any hope to get Traian Basescu suspended.
