The leaders of PNL decided to remove Mircea Diaconu from the initial MEP candidates list, sources within PNL cited by Mediafax have stated. According to the National Permanent Bureau, Diaconu will be replaced by the next candidate on the list, Eduard Hellvig. Diaconu left the meeting room without making a statement.
PNL chairman Crin Antonescu had announced Monday that Mircea Diaconu’s candidacy might be withdrawn. Diaconu, former Minister of Culture, was acquitted recently by the Bucharest Court of Appeals in a case in which he was charged with conflict of interest. However, he is legally prohibited from occupying a public position.
Mircea Ionescu Quintus, honorary chairman of PNL who turned 97 yesterday, also attended the party meeting. Quintus told reporters that PNL is gaining ground in the opposition, but it could face great problems if it only obtains 20 percent of the votes at the European Parliamentary elections.
