The two candidates for the second round of the presidential elections, the independent Nicușor Dan and the gold leader George Simion, use the direct debates to strengthen their directions that propelled them in the first two places in round.
The second round of the presidential elections is organized on May 18 Photoam Photos / Mădălina Norocea
The current political context in the country, with an interim president and an interim executive, gives a free way to the future president in the proposal of a new government. This will depend on the recovery of the economy, the renegotiation of the PNR, the implementation of the European arming plan, but also the balance of the situation externally. The directions addressed by George Simion and Nicușor Dan differ from several points of view.
Who will be part of the new government
Therefore, the formation of a new government is a priority of the new president. Anyone, in order to have internal stability, in his approach, the president needs to support traditional parties, even if they will not actively participate in governance. Obviously, the prime minister and government variants presented by the two candidates who entered the 2 round are different.
Nicușor Dan states that he would like the current interim president of Romania – Ilie Bolojan – to be a prime minister, being known that he has a good image at national level. However, the independent candidate did not give details about the parties that would form the government – except USR. On the other hand, George Simion claimed to propose “A Romanian, a man who loves peace ”, aMissing that this could be Călin Georgescu, if he wants this post. However, given the current component of Parliament, Simion would need to support traditional parties for the formation of the new government. On the other hand, both Simion and other gold leaders advanced the idea of anticipated elections to form a new majority in Parliament.
The economic situation
Another priority of the president will be to ensure that the government will be able to generate economic stability, especially in the context in which economists warn that for financial recovery of the country there are necessary measures that would affect the population.
In order to limit the budgetary expenses, George Simion proposed the dismissal of “incapable people” from the administrations, nominating about 500,000, without presenting other data.
“A plan of concrete measures represents the alternative to increasing taxes that only involves austerity (..) as long as they are not eliminated by the self, the piles, the mistresses of the local and central administration, I do not know what the elimination of the waste is referred. Romanians need well -paid jobs. No country has the natural resources of Romania. Without a competitive energy sector there is no solid industry. There are some aids that the government gives in the form of humility for Romanians. Almost one third of Romania is at risk of poverty and social exclusion (..) a reform in administration must be started. Need a reform in administration from above. Limiting to 12 ministries and 30 state secretaries’Simion said at the latest debate.
Nicușor Dan proposes to reduce the deficit by increasing the absorption of European funds and in limiting the state expenses.
“There are four things for financial balancing: 1 absorption of European funds, 2 the great tax evasion, 3 limiting the unsubstantial expenses of the state, 4 the release of the pillar from the state companies (..) All things, health, education and social protection come from money. And the state throws money, it is an unbalanced budget. This is the first thing we need to do. The economy brings money“, said Dan.
George Simion promises to reduce the gap between the poor and those developed by investments in agriculture, tourism and the development of the energy field, while Nicușor Dan proposes that the state develop ecosystems to provide good revenues through aid schemes.
Regarding the access of European funds, the candidates admit that we will not be in possession of all the money in the PNRR due to the delay in the implementation of the projects. However, George Simion would correct European financing to maritime and rail transport, while Nicușor Dan believes that the mechanisms for accessing EU money should be changed.
Diaspora
Regarding the reintegration of Romanians from the diaspora and encouraging their return to the country, George Simion invokes the need for programs in this regard, similar to Poland: “The funds of the European Union should not go to Ukraine, to someone but to the citizens of the European Union, to the children of the Romanians and to solve this problem of the labor market. (..) Citizens from the third world come, and our Romanians go abroad. Poland has succeeded, brought over 1 million Poles back to the country through social reintegration programs. That’s what we have to do ””.
On the other side, Nicușor Dan believes that several parliamentarians are needed to represent the Romanians from abroad: “The most important thing, of course, there are some of their concrete claims: the consular services, the fact that when a Romanian official goes there and has a discussion with an official from that country they are not noticed, the fact that when they return to Romania there is no one to guide them through the democratic harassment because I am often here. They are not sufficiently represented in the Romanian Parliament, they have too few places compared to their number and their relationship with the authority is insufficient. In short, we should not convince them to come home, we must make Romania the country where they want to come home to feel comfortable, including in terms of the medical system. ”
Education and health
In order for students to have equal opportunities, the golden candidate talks about the financing of the education system, while his counter -candidate emphasizes the change of learning style. And in terms of health, Simion relies on the reduction of the urban-rural gap and the financial encouragement of young people who follow a career in this area, and Nicușor Dan believes that a strategy is necessary for the medical system to no longer be chaotic.
Defense
Regarding the endowment of the army, Nicușor Dan pleaded for an allocation of 2.5% of GDP and stressed that Romania must be in accordance with the other states, including in terms of military expenses. “Peace is obtained by discouraging the war. And Romania must be an active member in the European Union ”said Nicușor Dan.
The gold candidate, George Simion, criticized the European Readiness 2030 European Union re -arming plan, stating that this area must remain in NATO. “I will negotiate every time in the European Council for the Rights of Romanians and against the idea previously stated that we must have a European army. For the army, for defense there is NATO and the North Atlantic Organization has provided peace and security in Europe after the Second World War on the American Pax.”explained George Simion.
Foreign policy
Another difference is noted regarding the external approach. George Simion stated in the debates that “Europe does not exist as an entity” And that it is made up of 27 states with its own interests, and Romania must vote in the European Council exclusively according to its national interest, not “on the knees ”, While European funds should go to Europeans, not Ukraine. Nicușor Dan pleaded for an unconditional support of the Republic of Moldova, stressing that “Without discussion, the security of Romania and Moldova depends essentially on how the war in Ukraine will end ””where he emphasized that a fair peace is needed.
The two agree that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not welcome in Romania, but the positions differ in the case of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (CPI). While George Simion says he is welcome, Nicușor Dan states that such a visit will not take place.
“I go to the directions that propelled them”
“It seems to me that they both go to the two directions that have propelled them in this position and which are talked about in public space. They are, in fact, the two directions between which we have to make a choice beyond their people.”explains for the “truth” the political scientist George Jiglău, pointing out that both candidates have to make more effort to capitalize on their entire potential electorate.
As for Nicușor Dan, the political scientist is of the opinion that he remains in an abstract register, stressing that the mayor of the capital is still in a position where he cannot antagonize anyone, including PSD, a party that both candidates need to create a majority to support the proposed executive.
“It seems to me that his vision is reduced, somehow, to the idea of good governance, if to synthesize around a principle. So, he, first of all, strives to illustrate the fact that what Simion is stupid, makes this effort almost anything, to contradict Simion with some arguments. To make politics and the fact that it is a moment when the waters are separated and we have to stay with Europe.explained George Jiglău.
“Simion tries to go to a populist centrism, a kind of Catch-all, so be a candidate who says well of the traditional family, marriage, but leaves something about the lifestyle of all and maybe a civil partnership, why not. On the question of the right to choose, we say: Do not scandalize, not to scare, not to adopt extreme positions ”, shows the political scientist George Jiglău.
