Although ruling coalition members welcome PM’s decision to resign, they had reservations in what concerns the timeliness of his gesture, being of the opinion that approving a new government in Parliament will not be an easy task and may even lead to early elections.
By Daniela Baragan
The Democrat-Liberals seemed neither surprised by nor upset with Premier Emil Boc’s decision to resign, a fact that somewhat confirms recent rumours according to which PDL members have turned against their current party leader. Thus, after an eerie silence that somewhat culminated with the start of protests throughout the country, a silence interrupted from time to time by brief and fairly cautious press statements, Minister of Regional Development and Turism Elena Udrea commented Emil Boc’s resignation yesterday, stating that he “has done what has to be done for the country, he is stepping down and making room for a better government.” “I believe the Prime Minister will remain in history as a Prime Minister that really managed to save Romania. He had to govern during the most difficult period Romania has experienced in the last 80 years. Obviously he had a difficult but successful term, he is leaving at a time when his work and effort is recognized at international level,” Udrea stated for Mediafax. The PDL Vice President nevertheless avoided making any comments on the future Premier (whether he will be a PDL member or a technocrat – editor’s note), stating that the decision belongs wholly to the Head of State. Later on, Udrea wrote on Facebook that the current ruling coalition will remain united “in order to avoid pointless political speculations,” adding that “it’s time for a less eroded government to come to power, one that would give hope for a better life during a precise period of time.”
Speaker of the Senate Vasile Blaga considers that Boc took the decision to resign “after a serious analysis” and thanked him for his efforts and for the manner in which they cooperated within the government. On the other hand, Theodor Stolojan, leader of PDL MEPs, stated that the government’s resignation is proof of a typical Romanian attitude according to which “if something works properly it means it has to be changed.”
Not all went well during the ruling coalition’s meeting yesterday. Sources from among the participants stated for Mediafax that the coalition leaders had reservations in what concerns Boc’s announcement, being of the opinion that the decision is politically risky because a new government will have to be voted in Parliament. “Most of the coalition leaders expressed their reservations in what concerns the timeliness of such a gesture and the leaders of MPs attending the meeting deemed that approving a new government in Parliament will not be an easy task. They warned that this could lead to early elections,” the aforementioned sources stated. According to the same sources, UNPR leader Gabriel Oprea was the only one that appreciated Premier Boc’s gesture, labeling it as a “manly” gesture. In fact, UNPR representatives announced in a press communiqué that the Union will back the government formula built on the basis of the current Parliamentary majority, “which will respect the principles of responsibilities, stability and solidarity and which will ensure the country’s good management.”
In its turn, UDMR considers that this was Premier Boc’s personal decision. In what concerns the shape of the future government, UDMR leader Kelemen Hunor pointed out that the details will be established by coalition representatives along with the Head of State, the political formula on the basis of which the government will be formed depending a lot on the person that will be appointed Prime Minister. UDMR Senator Gyorgy Frunda however opined that this is UDMR’s “last chance” to leave the ruling coalition, pointing out at the same time that he does not favor the idea of a technocrat as Premier.
Coalition sees cabinet departure as first step in overcoming the deadlock
PNL President Crin Antonescu stated that the government’s resignation represents the first step towards solving the political crisis. He said that the road to early elections has been cleared. “The Boc Government’s resignation is a good thing for Romania. It’s a victory for all those that protested since the start of the year, asking for a major political change. It’s the resignation of the most incompetent, most corrupt, most deceitful government in Romania’s history at least after 1989,” Antonescu stated. In his opinion, two more steps are needed for Romania’s chance to have “a new and legitimate political leadership” – Traian Basescu’s resignation and early elections. “Today (yesterday – editor’s note) we witnessed the collapse of the Basescu government,” the Liberal added.
PSD President Victor Ponta stated in his turn that USL wants early elections but that in the meantime it backs “stability and equilibrium.” “I believe we can have a democratic transition,” Ponta stated, adding that Boc’s resignation is the start of the 60 days needed to dissolve Parliament in order to have early elections. “We are open to discussing any kind of responsible formula, to end up having elections that would not mean the total destruction of what is left of Romania,” the Social-Democrat added, pointing out that this is the mandate with which USL was to attend last evening’s consultations at the Presidential Palace. PSD Honorary President Ion Iliescu stated that the resignation of the Boc Government is the first realistic step, “a result of the whole developments recently seen,” however it has to be followed by the establishment of a technocratic government that would organize early elections.
Adrian Vasilescu, advisor to the National Bank of Romania’s Governor, does not have confidence in the idea of a government made up of technocrats, pointing out that a Prime Minister that lacks the backing of a powerful party or of a coalition of parties cannot attain his goals.
