On Sunday, June 21, Adrian Veștea’s supporters sent a broad reaction, in 12 points, to the ultimatum given within the PNL by Ilie Bolojan. The 23 signatories of the document define themselves as the “Conservative Faction of the PNL” and accuse the party’s leadership of pressure, lack of statutory basis and the concentration of power in the hands of a small group.
The signatories challenge the way in which some decisions were adopted in the party and invoke violations of the statute and legislation.
“The statute and the decisions adopted by a political party, including those adopted today at the PNL Congress, must comply with the Political Parties Law No. 14/2003 and the statutory provisions in force at the time of their adoption. The decision of the Congress to impose the resignation of some members of the PNL, generically invoking the violation of some rules without expressly indicating them, is without statutory basis. The same lack of basis characterized the previous decisions of the BPN. We are in solidarity with the colleagues called to submit their resignations through public pressure, in the context of the presence of the 1,200 delegates in the Congress hall. We consider that the pressure exerted on some members in front of a party meeting is a method incompatible with the democratic and liberal values that the PNL has always defended.” writes in the letter sent by the Vestea group.
Veștea’s supporters say they accuse that there was a discriminatory selection in the Congress and a marginalization of some members. “We signal to colleagues from the PNL not included on the lists of delegates to the Congress that we have received the messages claiming a discriminatory selection, leaving aside those who do not share the recent decisions of the leadership. Our political actions have been constantly based on the messages received from the base of the party, a base that no longer finds its voice in the decisions of the leadership.”, they claim.
At the same time, the signatories demand a change in the way of internal organization: “A wise leader would have proposed, through the new statute, the recognition of the possibility of different doctrinal factions coexisting in the PNL.”
The document contains harsh criticism of the PNL leadership, accused of concentrating power and reducing internal debate:
“Just as in a democracy no authority can claim the execution of an obviously illegal provision, so any member of the PNL has the right and the moral duty to contest, by statutory means, any decision lacking legal or statutory basis. Political history shows us that authoritarian slippages have often been installed by voting obtained under pressure and by eliminating any minority voice.
A wise leader would have proposed, through the new statute, the recognition of the possibility of different doctrinal factions coexisting in the PNL — so that, along with the direction towards which the party has been pushed gradually and without debate in the last 12 months, it can bexista and a conservative faction, which was gradually pushed out of the party,” they state.
“Instead of such a reform, which would have united the party and made it more flexible and capable of assuming responsibilities for the country, the PNL leadership has chosen a status that concentrates power in the hands of a single person, eliminates free debate and internal dissent, and leads to the loss of entire organizations, leaders and members who have worked for the party for decades.”
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“If we had been consulted before the organization of the Congress, we would have said what we say now: a party as diverse and complex as the PNL, with strong traditions in freedom of thought and expression, can only function by recognizing the coexistence of factions and by a wise leadership that gives voice to all, not by a leadership that crushes dissent, publicly denigrates and stigmatizes it.”
The conservative faction also claims that the PNL would have blocked the formation of a government: “We are in solidarity with the country’s general interest in having a government as quickly as possible, in the context in which the PNL leadership maintained a governmental deadlock, refusing for a month any viable governance solution, including solutions that would satisfy the leadership’s desire to it goes in opposition.”
“Parties are institutions of public interest. Their purpose is to serve the country, not their own interests and calculations. The PNL has been kept away from this purpose for months by blocking the formation of a government with full powers. We refuse to participate in an action that, under the label of “political struggle”, serves only one purpose: keeping a small group at the political and administrative-financial governmental decision helm, at the cost of leaving the country without a government with full powers for more than a month.
In this context, to oppose, by statutory and legal means, a party decision without legal basis and contrary to the general interest, regardless of how many votes were gathered behind it, is not treason. It is a moral duty.”the signatories of the letter emphasize.
The document is signed by Adrian Veștea, Toma Petcu, Hubert Thuma, Cătălin Predoiu, Rareș Bogdan, Alina Gorghiu, Alexandru Popa, Andrei Alexandru, Baciu Andrei, Monica Anisie, Ciprian Pandea, George Scarlat, Ion Iordache, Lucian Bode, Antena Matei, Mihai Culeafă, Mihai Veștea, Nicoleta Pauliuc, Ionuț Stroe, Răzvan Prisca, Sorin Câmpeanu, Sebastian Rusu, Eduard Mititelu.
Robert Sighiartău announced that members of the Veștea group must submit their resignations by Monday, otherwise they will be expelled from the party.
The PNL Congress adopted, according to him, with unanimity of votes, these political directions and internal findings.
The first of those targeted to react was Lucian Bode, who rejected the accusations:
“I have never violated any decision. I have no reason to resign.”, Bode said.
