National Liberal Party (PNL) Chairman Ludovic Orban criticized on Monday the state of affairs inside the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) and said that half of the current ministries should be scrapped.
“Far more important today for Romania is the fact that we have a governing party that is very little concerned about what happens in society and in the economy, as it’s far more concerned with settling accounts inside the party while the ROBOR inter-bank offered interest rate is on the rise, inflation forecasts are extremely pessimistic – as it risks hitting 4.5 – 5 percent, and the national currency is tumbling head down especially against the euro. While all these elements produce extremely negative consequences on the people’s everyday lives, the ruling party is squabbling on whether to proceed to a government restructuring or reshuffle. This is mind at its dumbest, the country’s on fire and PSD is fiddling. I find this is a reckless behavior that shows that their only concern is with how to share power and not in the least with the extremely serious things that are happening in the Romanian economy and society,” Orban said at the end of the session of the PNL Executive Bureau that took place in Parliament.
He also advocated scrapping half of the ministries.
“Half of the ministries should be dismantled, the same applies – maybe not to half, but to about 40 percent of the agencies and authorities. A deep and serious restructuring of the administration is needed… The PSD is interested in having as many as possible positions to offer their political clientele. The depoliticization of the administration should be implemented, but how could the Social Democrats do this when their job is to politicize everything,” Orban said.
The PNL leader stressed that taking over power stays PNL’s goal in 2018, “we are prepared to assume the responsibility of government at any time, but we would prefer this to happen after we return to the people via early elections.”
Orban said that the Liberals will also request the dismissal of the two parliamentary chamber heads.
