Against the backdrop of the new crisis that erupted within the Social Democratic Party (PSD) as a result of the dispute between Premier Mihai Tudose and Interior Minister Carmen Dan, caused by the deficient management of the paedophile policeman’s case, an ever-growing number of Social Democratic voices – including Bucharest Mayor Gabriela Firea and House lawmaker Catalin Radulescu, the leader of the party’s Vaslui branch – have recently asked for the urgent convening of the party’s National Executive Committee (NatExCom).
Initially, the upcoming ExCom meeting had been scheduled for January 29, in Iasi, when Premier Mihai Tudose was expected to present his Government reshuffle project, however some of the party’s leaders and “barons” have asked that it be convened earlier in order to settle the tense situation.
Thus, PSD leaders have convened the NatExCom meeting on Monday, at 4 p.m., at the party headquarters. Against the backdrop in which the meeting meant to clarify and calm the situation within the PSD was expected at the end of the month, the convening of the NatExCom meeting on Monday mobilized party leaders and the leaders of party branches, who started issuing key-messages on Facebook, some in favour of Premier Tudose, others against him.
Radulescu: The urgent convening of the NatExCom is necessary to discuss a potential change of Government following Premier Tudose’s “uncontrolled and non-statutory outburst” and his insubordination toward the party
Lower House lawmaker Catalin Radulescu has demanded the urgent convening of the party’s Executive Committee, to discuss a potential change of Government following Premier Tudose’s “uncontrolled and non-statutory outburst” and his insubordination toward the party. Catalin Radulescu wrote on his Facebook page that PSD should withdraw its political support for Tudose, stating that the Premier has damaged the party’s image by launching attacks on some colleagues, showing insubordination toward the party and not endorsing the judicial laws.
“As a senior member of the party, of PSD, I demand the urgent convening of the ExCom, in order to decide – following Premier Tudose’s uncontrolled and non-statutory outburst – whether we still support the Tudose-Ciolacu team in Government, and whether, following repeated statements for the media that ran counter to the party’s positions, and insubordination toward the party’s decisions, these two colleagues – who have not understood, in the eleventh hour, that they did not end up holding these offices via a competition, but were appointed there by the party, to implement the party’s programme – can still be kept in office,” Radulescu writes in a message under the heading “Bravo, Carmen Dan, checkmate!”
He claims that “the gravity of backing the Head of the Romanian Police, who is guilty of very many things (which culminated with the paedophile policeman, who was known by this Despescu), endorsed by colleague Ciolacu,” prompts him to ask the ExCom and PSD MPs to withdraw their political support for the Tudose-Ciolacu team, “for damaging the party’s image among PSD voters, for the repeated scandals in the media space, for the repeated attacks on some minister colleagues (Rovana Plumb, Sevill Shaideh, Carmen Dan, Olguta Vasilescu, Gabriela Firea), for insubordination toward the party’s decisions and toward the party’s president, for not dismissing Premier Tudose’s personal adviser – Mr Piperea –, who had asked for the replacement of president Dragnea, and for not endorsing the judicial laws.”
“We didn’t win the sympathy of millions and millions of Romanian citizens only for some colleagues to make us lose every day and to systematically affect our image,” Catalin Radulescu concluded.
NatExCom needed to settle political crisis since the latter resulted, as “organic reaction,” in a slowdown in the central and local government’s engines
On Saturday, Bucharest Mayor Gabriela Firea demanded the urgent convening of PSD’s National Executive Committee (NatExCom) in order to “settle the political crisis,” because the latter has resulted, as “organic reaction,” in a slowdown in the central and local government’s engines. Firea claims that regardless of the result of the ExCom meeting, that result would be categorically better than the current instability.
“I am looking with concern at what has been going on in the political life for a few days now. I cannot stay indifferent, even if I am primarily concerned with the problems of the capital city. I notice that the engines of central and local public administration have slowed down … it is an organic reaction to the political crisis. We, the ones who are still responsible for what happens with Romania must take urgent action to restore a political climate at European standards, characterized by professionalism, rigor, civilization, the common values of respect for the Constitution and the laws of the country. Romanians deserve that all our efforts should be directed to solving the issues they face in hospitals, schools, the citizens’ need for safety, for a modern infrastructure. Our children deserve that we make sure that they live in a safe country where peace, protection and social balance are a normal presence. Therefore, I think we must urgently convene a meeting of the National Executive Committee to sort out the political crisis. And then let us immediately get back to work. Whatever the solution that will emerge from the CExN debate is, it will benefit the country far more than the current instability. May God give us all good judgment and patriotism,” Firea wrote on Facebook.
Claudiu Manda: PSD’s National Executive Committee must be convened as quickly as possible. Recent situation cannot wait
Senate lawmaker Claudiu Manda considers that PSD’s National Executive Committee must be convened as quickly as possible, his argument being that “the recent situation cannot wait for the NatExCom in Iasi.”
“I believe that the meeting of PSD’s National Executive Committee should be summoned as soon as possible. The situation is such that it cannot wait until the CExN due in Iasi [on January 29 – 31]. Romanians expect from us predictability and stability, they expect us to implement the assumed governing program. The government must work as a united team and accomplish the goal voted upon by Parliament: a better life for Romanians,” Manda wrote on Facebook.
Plumb: Each day that passes in a climate of instability is harmful to Romanians
Likewise, former European Grants Minister Rovana Plumb claimed that each passing day in a climate of instability is harmful to Romanians.
“The state of instability that has set in lately can no longer continue! Each day that passes in such a climate is harmful to Romanians. Therefore, I consider that the PSD should convene the CExN meeting as soon as possible – to sort things out so that we are able to return to a state of calm and predictability,” Plumb wrote on her social media account.
Plesoianu: Tudose is fully under Iohannis’s control
House lawmaker Liviu Plesoianu also launched himself in an offensive on Facebook, this time targeting Premier Tudose. Plesoianu severely censured the Premier’s threat to resign unless Social Democratic leaders accept a Government reshuffle.
“I’m not saying I’m right, but this is how I feel. If it’s considered I’m not right, I’m going home. Let someone else come, someone who can manage this mammoth and let us carry on like this forever. I want a leaner government, closer to the citizen,” Mihai Tudose stated on Antena3 several days ago.
The statement infuriated the Social Democrat lawmaker, prompting him to state that Tudose is allegedly “controlled” by none other than President Klaus Iohannis.
“I don’t know what ‘mammoth’ Tudose is talking about. The only mammoth I know has a red jacket and is not managed at all by Tudose. On the contrary, Tudose is completely under his control,” Plesoianu wrote on Facebook, referring to the red jacket that Klaus Iohannis wore at a public protest.
PSD Olt wants party’s National Executive Committee convened “given the latest events in the party”
In a communique remitted to Mediafax, the Social Democrats from Olt County demand the convening of PSD’s National Executive Committee (NatExCom) “as a result of the latest events in the party, which took place in the public space.”
According to the document, the request comes “following consultations with the local branches from the county.”
“PSD Olt, represented by Paul Stanescu, as president, and Marius Oprescu, as executive president, urgently demands the convening of PSD’s National Executive Committee,” the document reads.
The Social Democrats state that “this request comes as a result of the latest events in the party, which took place in the public space, events that have the capacity to generate severe public relations harm to the Social Democratic Party.”
“PSD Olt wants these inconsistencies clarified immediately and PSD to continue to govern the country as the electorate decided and wanted,” PSD Olt concludes.
PSD Vaslui demands urgent convening of party’s National Executive Committee
PSD Vaslui President Dumitru Buzatu has stated that the members of the Social Democratic branch demanded, on Friday evening, the immediate convening of the National Executive Committee, proposing that it should take place on Monday or Tuesday, in order to clarify the situation in the party.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come up with this idea; I picked it up from the party members, during this evening’s meeting, a meeting in which several of them asked me to convey to Mr Liviu Dragnea the request to immediately convene the National Executive Committee in the following days – next Monday, Tuesday – in order to clarify the situation in the party. I launched this challenge for all colleagues nationwide, let’s see what their answer is. I believe the rapports between the Government and the party must be clarified, I believe that the now obvious rift that is taking shape – and which risks growing deeper – and the Premier gaining autonomy in relation to the majority that backs him should be clarified,” Dumitru Buzatu stated, Mediafax informs.
Asked what solution this ExCom meeting should come up with for this moment to be overcome, the leader of PSD Vaslui pointed out that there should be a return to normal dialogue.
“The desired solution would be one without tremors that would generate negative effects and it would be finding a way to return to normal dialogue, to the Government and Prime Minister’s permanent consultation with the party and to the observance of the party and ruling coalition’s points of view, because this majority backed him when he was nominated as Premier. I don’t think the Premier can demand – without any discussion within the party, within the ruling coalition – the resignation of some ministers because he no longer likes them. We could end up seeing the Prime Minister successively demanding the resignation of the ministers he no longer likes,” Dumitru Buzatu stated.
Head of PSD Arad county branch pledges all-out support to national leader Dragnea
House lawmaker Dorel Caprar, President of the Social Democratic Party’s Arad county branch, says that there is an urgent need to call a National Executive Committee meeting, specifying that he will soldier all the way through at the side of national Social Democratic leader Liviu Dragnea.
“Due to developments on the domestic political scene, I consider that in the current situation it is imperative to urgently call the meeting of the National Executive Committee to clarify matters inside our party, as our common goal is just one: the implementation of the measures in the governing program,” Dorel Caprar wrote on Facebook.
According to him, since the beginning of the year, PSD has been witnessing a “more or less open conflict between the party president Liviu Dragnea and Premier Mihai Tudose.”
”Calculations are being made, supporters are gathering on one side and the other, there is talk about a party conference, about reshuffling the government. (…) In all this dispute, those capable to sort things out are the presidents of the local branches, those who can tip the scales both in the Executive Committee and in a party conference. As far as I am concerned, I will go with President Dragnea all the way, and the PSD Arad branch will adopt the same position. There is no doubt about this,” Caprar announced.
He mentioned that one year ago, with Liviu Dragnea at its helm, PSD achieved the best result in its history, forming the Government alongside ALDE, while Mihai Tudose clinched the position of PM.
”I wonder how can one come now, after so tough a battle we all know how much suffering has caused us, to ask for the beheading of the general who led us to victory? This would only give satisfaction to those who lost the battle and who are now anxiously waiting in hopes that Mr Dragnea would no longer resist at PSD’s helm. (…) And if there is someone inside who is trying to decapitate the PSD leadership, Chairman Dragnea, who – I say this again – has brought us the biggest victory in history, this means that that particular person is fighting the party and playing into the hands of the Opposition, of President Iohannis, of the infamous #resist followers,” the leader of PSD Arad said.
Commenting on the conflict between Interior Minister Carmen Dan and Prime Minister Mihai Tudose, Dorel Caprar argues that there is no reason for the Interior Minister to resign.
”Mrs Carmen Dan has had a public intervention, clarifying the situation with documents. I think PM Tudose has been hasty to publicly demand the resignation of the Interior Minister; it is preferable to discuss such matters inside the party. The PSD’s statutory bodies have chosen a governing team, and when cracks occur in this line-up, they cannot be resolved by one person alone, but again by decisions of the party leadership. The party’s National Executive Committee will probably sort out this issue,” Dorel Caprar said.
Petre Daea: Convening PSD’s NatExCom is a sequence of the party’s preoccupation with the proper progress of activity, in view of carrying out the governance programme
Agriculture Minister Petre Daea claims that periodic analyses are becoming mandatory and necessary within the party, and the convening of PSD’s National Executive Committee meeting on Monday “is a sequence of the party’s preoccupation with the proper progress of activity, in view of carrying out the governance programme.”
On Saturday, Minister Daea posted on Facebook a message concerning the PSD leadership’s decision to convene a National Executive Committee meeting on Monday, to clarify the situation that appeared as a result of the dispute between Premier Mihai Tudose and Minister Carmen Dan.
The Agriculture Minister claims that he believed, believes and will continue to believe in the collective strength of the party, in the capacity of analysis, preparation and adoption of decisions, and that “party cohesion was always fuelled by calm, balance and intelligence, stemming from the desire to do good for the country.”
“The Governance Programme, presented by President Liviu Dragnea during the elections campaign, approved by the Romanian Parliament, was and remains the political oath we took before the electorate and which we must fulfil. This is our purpose too, of all those who have been invested with confidence by the Social Democratic Party, the party that won the elections and generated a stable majority in Parliament,” Petre Daea points out.
He added that periodic analyses are becoming mandatory and necessary within the party, and the convening of the National Executive Committee meeting on Monday is a sequence of the party’s preoccupation with the proper progress of activity, in view of carrying out the governance programme.
Codrin Stefanescu: The devil poked its nose in PSD. In Grindeanu’s case it was Ponta, now the devil hasn’t been identified. Tudose is not Grindeanu, the situation will be defused
PSD Deputy Secretary General Codrin Stefanescu states that the convening of a lightning-fast Executive Committee meeting was necessary to solve the problems within the party, which have grown worse lately and have resulted in “PSD hitting the headlines in all newspapers, including foreign ones.” He said that “the devil has poked its nose in PSD,” adding that while the devil was identified in Sorin Grindeanu’s case – Victor Ponta –, now “the devil hasn’t been identified” and is probably from outside the party. “Tudose is not Grindeanu, we will defuse this whole situation on Monday,” Stefanescu claimed.
Codrin Stefanescu stated for Antena3 private broadcaster that in recent days he received messages from more than 100 mayors from all over the country, who warned that things can no longer continue like this, and he claimed this is not another Grindeanu case but it is “a serious problem.”
“As a result of all kinds of statements made by some colleagues, and as a result of things such as lack of communication, and of the fact that the situation in the party has been growing worse in recent days, I considered that it’s very important for us to hold a lightning-fast ExCom on Monday, to settle all problems within and to see how these amplified problems ended up in the public space. In recent days, I’ve received an avalanche of messages from colleagues from the country, telling us to simmer down; I’ve talked with 100 mayors who warn, in a determined fashion, that we cannot sit like this for anyone to communicate how one pleases, and that they don’t know why we are fighting. (…) We’ve had a good year, with successes in governance. (…) We won’t discuss anything we were expected to discuss in Iasi. We will discuss solely what worries us, how we ended up hitting the headlines both here and abroad,” Codrin Stefanescu stated.
He added that “the devil poked its nose in PSD.” “We haven’t identified him. In Grindeanu’s case Ponta was the devil, now the devil is not from among us but from outside the party, and is trying to do a graver thing within the party. A conclusion and a joint press statement is a must on Monday, because one million party members and Romanians who voted for us are watching,” PSD’s Deputy Secretary General stated.
Stefanescu believes that, most likely, the statement will be one “of peace” – “we will remain with the same party leadership, the Government will continue to do its job, and local leaders will continue to promote the governance programme.”
“Tudose is not Grindeanu. With Grindeanu we tried to solve the problem up to the last second. When Ponta the devil came by its side, Grindeanu went haywire. We had to table a motion against one man. It’s not the same situation. We will defuse this whole situation on Monday,” Stefanescu added.
Pro-Tudose camp lavishes Gov’t with praise: “Any day lost is a crime”
European Grants Minister: Responsibility for act of governance falls upon the PM and his team. Any governmental decision must be taken within Gov’t
European Grants Minister Marius Nica states that the responsibility for the act of governance falls upon the Prime Minister and his team and any governmental decision must be taken within the Government. He also states that 2018 is the most important year, that Romania could lose EUR 1.5 billion from the current financial framework and that any day lost is a crime against the country’s economic development.
On Saturday afternoon, Minister Marius Nica posted on Facebook a message of support for Premier Mihai Tudose, claiming that during his mandate Romania accredited the Management Authorities, took the measures to meet the ex-ante conditions and received European grants from the 2014-2020 financial framework.
“1.5 billion euro lost for local elected officials and the private sector. Romania’s economic development, the most important component of the Governing Programme, can only be obtained through assiduous work, competent ministers, and governmental calm. During the incumbent Prime Minister’s mandate, Romania has accredited the Management Authorities, has taken measures to meet the ex-ante conditions, has received European grants from the 2014-2020 period. 2018 is the most important year, Romania could lose – for good – 1.5 billion euro from the current framework. Any day lost is a crime against Romania’s economic development. The responsibility for the act of governance falls upon the Prime Minister and his team, any governmental decision must be taken within the Government!” Marius Nica wrote.
Doina Federovici, Senator and president of the PSD Botosani branch: “Party discussions must be clarified as fast as possible. There is no sense perpetuating this unclear situation until the end of January. We must meet in the shortest of times, in a NatExCom meeting in which we should draw a clear conclusion, which we should all endorse, and then we should focus on implementing the governance programme.”
Tutuianu: Ousting Tudose or no-confidence motion would be “political suicide”
Former Defence Minister Adrian Tutuianu, whom the press considers an internal enemy of PSD President Liviu Dragnea, launched a trenchant message regarding the potential ouster of Premier Mihai Tudose based on the ‘Sorin Grindeanu’ model.
Adrian Tutuianu, president of PSD Dambovita, warns that a new no-confidence motion against its own Government or an ousting of Tudose would represent political suicide for the party.
“It’s not my style to express opinions on important topics for PSD via Facebook postings, but the moment compels me.
“I took note of the intention to convene the National Executive Committee on Monday, 15.01.2018, at the request of several party leaders. In this sense, I too point out the following:
“1. I am concerned by the internal developments within the party and I believe we are at a crossroads. The economic performances registered in 2017, the hiking of salaries and pensions, and other good aspects of the governance have been, to a good extent, cancelled out by the internal conflict.
“2. County councils, city halls, people from the counties need a Government that would support their projects. Romania needs stability to continue to develop. People expect results, better-paid jobs, expressways, schools, hospitals etc. I don’t believe we can start over from scratch every 6 months.
“3. A new change of Government would be political suicide for the Social Democratic Party. A resignation tendered by the Prime Minister or a new no-confidence motion against its own Government would once again take the party before President Iohannis (for the nomination of the Premier) and before a vote in Parliament, both situations creating uncertainty. That is why we must show responsibility and become aware of the grave public relations damage that the party would incur, and of the risk of throwing the country into political instability. It’s our duty to be clear-minded.
“4. We must close ranks, analyse what is the best solution, based on a collective and democratic decision, calling on all competent people who can give added value to the act of governance. I disagree with us sacrificing the party and the governance for some leaders’ feuds and personal ambitions!
“5. I was and still am a loyal party member. I militate for its unity, for diversity of opinions and for the adoption of decisions within statutory structures,” Adrian Tutuianu wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday.
Health Minister: I’m confident a wise decision will be adopted, which will mandatorily serve the Romanians’ interest in having a solid and efficient governance
Health Minister Florian Bodog expressed his confidence that “a wise decision that will mandatorily serve the Romanians’ interest in having a solid and efficient governance” will be adopted by the National Executive Committee, and told his colleagues that there is the need for calm, responsibility and unity in order to accomplish the job for which they were voted in office.
“Our goal is but one: continuing to implement the measures of the Governance Programme, for which PSD was voted massively by Romanians. At the level of the Health Ministry, in 2018, we will accelerate the rhythm of implementing these policies meant to improve the act of medical services, as well as labour conditions for the medical personnel. PSD has made Health a priority of the governance, something that is also visible in this year’s budget. Hence, I believe we need calm, responsibility, and unity to achieve the job we were voted for,” Bodog wrote on Facebook.
Tourism Minister: PM Tudose has proven that this country’s citizens want to be led by leader who understands their problems and seeks the correct solutions without engaging in political games and without taking rash decisions
Tourism Minister Mircea Titus Dobre wrote on Facebook that he expects the Social Democrats convened at PSD’s NatExCom meeting to discuss more about the ways this Government would function better than it has done so far, and that Premier Mihai Tudose has proven that this country’s citizens want to be led by a leader who understands their problems and seeks the correct solutions to them, without engaging in political games and without taking rash decisions. He states that the Premier must be the Head of Government in any situation – “just like he is perceived to be by voters, presented by the media and held accountable, if need be, when there are failures.”
“I expect that in the next NatExCom [meeting] we would discuss more about the ways this Government would function better than it has done so far, about what we can do more for Romania and for all Romanians, regardless of whether they have given us their vote of confidence or are yet to do so, in the hope that at the end of our mandate we will have more supporters among Romanians and we will be able to do more for Romania,” Mircea Titus Dobre wrote on Facebook on Saturday afternoon.
He says the Government is political but the Premier must be the Head of Government in any situation, just like he is perceived to be by voters, presented by the media and held accountable, if need be, when there are failures, because the Head of Government knows with what ministers he can work and what people do not correspond to his exigencies as leader, just as it is the case in a company that must produce in order to survive on the free market.
“If we take Romania for a company, we must understand the need to have that organising that would help us lead it toward the attainment of the objective we all want. I have the conviction we have the necessary political responsibility and maturity to do this and to demonstrate that our priority is Romania and the citizens of this country. We are still at the start of the road to re-establish the Romanians’ confidence in the political class, and Premier Mihai Tudose has demonstrated that this country’s citizens want to be led by a leader who understands the problems and is looking for the correct solutions, without engaging in political games and without taking rash decisions. All of us can do the same and work for the well-being of Romanians and of Romania,” the Tourism Minister added.
Economy Minister: I’ll unconditionally submit to any decision taken by PSD’s NatExCom. Party’s decision, decisive in what concerns my presence in Gov’t
Economy Minister Gheorghe Simon states that he will “unconditionally submit” himself to any decision adopted by PSD’s Executive Committee, because he was appointed in office after he was confirmed by this body. He adds that Romania “needs stability and good governance, so that the measures proposed in the elections campaign of 2016 could be fully observed.”
In a communique remitted by the ministry on Saturday evening, the Economy Minister points out that he is a politician and was appointed minister via a political decision, therefore the party’s decision is decisive in what concerns his presence in the Government.
“As elected parliamentarian and minister appointed by my colleagues from PSD, I consider, first of all, that Romania needs stability and good governance, so that the measures proposed in the elections campaign of 2016 could be fully observed. I became House member representing the county of Maramures, for a second stint, via the freely-expressed vote of the citizens of the county I represent, this being an office that honours me and makes me accountable. I was appointed Economy Minister by my colleagues from PSD, during a meeting of the party’s Executive Committee. My message to all those who gave me their confidence, investing me with their vote, is that I will unconditionally submit to any decision taken by PSD’s NatExCom. The interests of Romania and of Romanians take precedence before everything else. Romania needs stability, coherence, and good governance. To ensure this good governance, it’s imperatively necessary for the party’s central leaders and the Government’s decision-making factors to prove unity, understanding, and to take decisions in line with the country’s interest. All the ministers of the Tudose Government were nominated by the party, and I, personally, will submit to any party decision that will be adopted during PSD’s first Executive Committee meeting,” Economy Minister Gheorghe Simon states in a communique remitted by the ministry.
Youth and Sports Minister: We must take decisions and debate the fate of the Government with full responsibility, within the National Executive Committee, not in the public space
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Marius Dunca, also reacted on Saturday, through a Facebook message in which he says that PSD must take decisions and debate the fate of the Government “with full responsibility, within the National Executive Committee, not in the public space”.
“As members of the Government, we are bound to respect the trust that people gave us in order to implement the Governing Program. The Government is a political Government, and each position was granted to us democratically, through a vote in the National Executive Committee. The Social Democrat Party is united and strong by each of its members, mayors and presidents of organizations. Due to the respect for Romanians and for the PSD members, we must take decisions and debate the fate of the Government with full responsibility, within the National Executive Committee, not in the public space” is the message of the Minister of Youth and Sports.
He also tells to his colleagues that they have the duty and the responsibility to give reasons to everyone to believe in Romania.
Fifor: The tensed situation must stop, the only solution to solve these problems is to “urgently convene” a National Executive Committee
The Minister of National Defense, Mihai Fifor, stated on Saturday that “the tensed situation” which is both shown at the Government’s level and “falsely induced” inside PSD must stop, the only solution to solve these problems being to “urgently convene” a National Executive Committee.
“The tensed situation of these days, which is both shown at the Government’s level and falsely induced inside PSD must stop as soon as possible. The only solution to solve these problems is to urgently convene a National Executive Committee, in which we should analyze the causes that led to the occurrence of such a situation. The Executive Committee is the only statutory body in which the right decisions can be taken in order for this state of affairs which is seriously affecting both the image of the party and the governance, to stop as soon as possible” Fifor wrote on Facebook.
He mentioned that Romanians were promised “a strong, stable governance, with the full support of the PSD-ALDE majority coalition”.
“We promised the Romanians a strong, stable governance, with the full support of the PSD-ALDE majority coalition, a governance that will implement, item by item, the program voted by millions of Romanian people in December 2016, also respecting the commitments made towards our partners abroad” Fifor also stated.
Felix Stroe: The Prime Minister has the responsibility of the governance, but he should also have the power to decide
The Transport Minister Felix Stroe, who is also the president of the PSD Constanta county organization, stated on Saturday that “the Prime Minister has the responsibility of the governance, but he should also have the power to decide”.
“At the next CExN we should have a serious discussion on how we can democratize the power of decision inside the party and on how we can make the current Government to perform. It is necessary that the most well trained people that the party has are part of the Government. I wish that the local organizations will be more involved this time, because it is not normal that only a few people decide” Stroe stated in a press release issued by PSD Constanta.
According to Stroe, PSD consists of all those who have worked to gain the trust of the Romanians.
“We are the party, all of those who have worked to gain the trust of the Romanians. The Prime Minister has the responsibility of the governance, but he should also have the power to decide” Stroe also said.
The President of the Buzau County Council: The Tudose Government has my full support
The President of the Buzau County Council, Petre Emanoil Neagu, stated on Saturday that the Tudose Government has his full support, mentioning that PM is able to implement the governing program voted by Romanians.
“We have a good governance and a PM who is able to implement the governing program voted by Romanians! The Tudose Government has my full support. It showed that it can ensure an efficient governance, that the governing team has a lot of achievements which are also based on a close collaboration with the local public administration” Neagu wrote on Facebook.
He also said that “Romania needs a stable governance”.
“A Government cannot ensure the economic growth and the country’s development if it doesn’t have continuity in its activity. We shouldn’t forget that we are in the Centenary Year, and it is very important for us to demonstrate that we are united and we will accomplish all the promises made to Romanians” Neagu also stated.
The leader of PSD Neamt: We are in an unusual situation
The leader of PSD Neamt, Ionel Arsene, also declared himself, in his turn, in favor of urgently convening the CExN of PSD.
“The responsibility towards the citizen is the main task of a governance. When the statement of those who are appointed to manage Romania’s destiny affect the image of the country and the trust of the Romanians in the state institutions, we are in an unusual situation. Things got worse, both for the Government and for PSD, in front of the Romanian people, and those of us who are leading the party must take a stand and show responsibility. We must remember our commitments that all of us made towards the Romanians and gather as soon as possible in a National Executive Committee, in order to clarify the situation of the governance in the interest of the Romanians, as well as of PSD” Arsene wrote on his Facebook page.
Ponta: Liviu Dragnea exacted revenge on me. His leadership style is that of a mobster
Just one day before the great PSD bout pitting the camp of the Social Democratic leader against the camp of Premier Tudose, ex-Premier Victor Ponta launched new attacks against PSD President Liviu Dragnea.
The ex-Premier considers that Liviu Dragnea exacted revenge on him by insulting his intelligence.
“He exacted revenge on me. He did it by lying to me. There are lies and then there are lies. He lied to me by insulting my common sense and intelligence, and I can’t forgive that. We’re talking about what is happening now in Romania. His leadership style is that of a mobster, everybody must be from his region. It’s a style that unfortunately worked in Teleorman, but which cannot work for long in Romania,” Victor Ponta stated during a talk-show.
Likewise, Victor Ponta expressed his anger with the situation within PSD.
“I’m angry because in 2016 I campaigned for PSD, I voted for Premier Grindeanu, for PSD, I promised people they would have a governance like the one in 2012-2015, but in return there were only scandals. In this battle, Dragnea wants to rule everything,” the ex-Premier said.
“If PSD topples its second Government in a year, it will commit suicide as a party,” Ponta added.
Ponta went on Antena3, one day before the ExCom, and stated he would like “us to have a solution” on Monday.
“I would like for there to be solutions on Monday, because this problem has already lasted one year. 2017 was a year with scandals, fighting, with replaced Governments, with bad economic measures, and I see 2018 has started the same way,” Ponta said.
PSD’s Dragnea: No need to call extraordinary congress, party not divided
Chairman of the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) Liviu Dragnea said on Friday in Vaslui, where he attended a meeting with the county party leaders, that PSD is not divided and the scandal that has made headlines is actually of a far lesser scale than perceived.
Answering a question of the reporters, Dragnea also said that under the current circumstances there is no need to call an extraordinary congress of the party.
Asked if he is behind the decision of Interior Minister Carmen Dan to stand her ground and not resign office, the Social Democrat leader refrained from comments.
“It is my understanding – as I didn’t watch the broadcast – that last night Mrs. Minister has come out publicly with well-grounded and argued information,” Liviu Dragnea said.
“I still hope Mihai Tudose will remain Prime Minister”
PSD Chairman Liviu Dragnea said on Friday that he still hopes that Mihai Tudose will remain Prime Minister. Thus he answered to the question related to the statements of the PSD MP Catalin Radulescu, who asked for the urgent meeting of the Executive Committee of the party in order to discuss on a possible change of the Government, after PM Tudose’s “uncontrolled and non-statutory reaction” and his insubordination to the party’s decisions.
“I still hope Mihai Tudose will remain Prime Minister” Liviu Dragnea stated on Friday, when asked about Catalin Radulescu’s request.
Dragnea made these statements in Bacau, since he spent the last days in a tour in the counties of Moldova, in order to meet the leaders of the PSD branches. Liviu Dragnea was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister Paul Stanescu.
Intense negotiations within PSD ahead of Monday meeting: Liviu Dragnea backed by majority. Firea calls for armistice
Once the urgent NatExCom meeting was convened, it became increasingly clear that the Social Democratic leadership is split in two camps. And in the hours preceding Monday’s NatExCom meeting, each camp sought to gain the upper hand and to outline its strategy for the meeting.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Gabriela Firea posted a call for peace on her Facebook account: “In a political family the tasks should be shared as in one’s own family at home. With sincerity and good thoughts. But, unfortunately, the agenda of the year’s start is dominated by tensions within PSD. By division into camps, groups, spheres of interest. It’s wrong! We jointly won the elections and we’ve registered good results in governance. Now it seems we’re blowing up everything we’ve achieved. And the citizens, who offered us their confidence and voted for us, stand to lose most.
“The two leaders – the [party] president and the Premier, have the obligation to immediately cease the political disputes! They both erred. Now they must mend things. Both!
“Not consulting us when nominating Premiers Grindeanu and Tudose was a mistake. A real democratic analysis, within the party’s leadership forums, would have protected us from the two political crises.
“On the other hand, when he was appointed, the Premier knew the structure of the Government. If he didn’t like the “Trabant” – as he calls it now – he shouldn’t have jumped in. I believe it was one of our “Dacia” cars, which in 2017 was first in Europe in the economic growth race. And we shouldn’t make a mockery of this result, because Romanians expect a lot from us.
“I’m asking the two leaders to first think about the Romanians. To accept they depend on each other. That’s how it is in democracy: the party cannot rule without a Government, and the Government cannot function without a parliamentary majority.
“The two have the OBLIGATION to find a way to collaborate. To assume, as urgently as possible, possibly in writing, the principles of this collaboration. It’s an obligation first of all toward the citizens, and then toward the party.(…)
“The Centennial Year has started, and I call on the national feelings that I know animates both the PSD President and the Premier. Let us look back in history, let us learn from our forefathers. Let us be politicians to a lesser extent and statesmen to a greater extent, as were those who achieved the Great Union.”
On the other hand, on Sunday, Mihai Tudose organised a meeting with the PSD members who are backing him in his dispute with PSD leader Liviu Dragnea, ahead of Monday’s Executive Committee meeting, political sources told MEDIAFAX. According to the sources, Tudose was due to talk with his allies about the meeting that will clarify his situation on Monday, about the Government reshuffle proposal and about the resignation of Interior Minister Carmen Dan.
