The disagreements between Ilie Bolojan and the Social Democratic Party became more and more pronounced. After the prime minister publicly invoked the option of a minority government, the PSD responded through the voice of the secretary general, Claudiu Manda, who warned that a fall of the government by motion would definitively close Bolojan’s way to the Victoria Palace.
Political scientist Andrei Țăranu explains, in an interview for “Adevărul”, why we are witnessing a show of distrust and what is the critical moment that will decide the fate of the prime minister.
“The same thing that has always been known: the deep distrust of the parties in their leaders and, respectively, of the parties among themselves. It is nothing unknown. Since 1992, since the first parties and the first coalition governments appeared in Romania – the Văcăroiu government – there has always been a state of distrust. On the other hand, the PSD, through Olguța Vasilescu, is doing the same thing. It is embarrassing, everyone is talking about stability, in while they make a lot of noise and talk as badly as possible to each other. After that they wonder how GOLD got to over 40%.” explains the political scientist.
Modus Operandi in PNL: The tradition of “landings”
While PSD is putting pressure from outside, Ilie Bolojan could face a much bigger threat: his own party. The recent history of the PNL shows that leaders can be quickly taken out of the equation even by their own colleagues.
“Do you remember how they landed Orban and how long did it take to land Cîțu? Do you remember how they landed Ciucă? This is a modus operandi of the PNL. The PNL, in the vast majority of moments, if the presidents did not resign, took them down. Including Crin Antonescu, in 2014, after he had achieved the union with the PDL, he was dead line to put Iohannis”, warns Andrei Țăranu.
Does the PSD really want the landing of Bolojan?
In the conditions in which Romania continues to face serious economic problems due to the excessive budget deficit, the treatment being represented by harsh austerity measures, the question naturally arises whether for the PSD it would be preferable for Bolojan to continue at the Victoria Palace. Professor Andrei Țăranu is skeptical about this.
“If what the mayor of Cavnic says (ed. that Ilie Bolojan told the liberals that the ring road will not take place) is true, then the PSD probably has no other solution but to disembark Bolojan and put someone who respects his word. Now, the game between Ciucă and Ciolacu was much fairer. So, with the USR constantly sticking the stick through the fence, it is clear that the PSD is reacting”claims Andrei Țăranu.
The budget, the prime minister’s “swan song”?
According to the political analyst, the party leaders are currently waiting, given that the Government must prepare the budget for the current year. Then, the landing of Bolojan becomes very likely, believes Andrei Țăranu.
“The most likely scenario is that this coalition will make the budget and there will be a budget that will be adopted with Bolojan, after which, most likely, Mr. Bolojan will be forced to leave as prime minister. This is because I have the impression that it still suits Mr. Bolojan to remain prime minister, despite the fact that there was a time when he said that he would not really want to, that he is always willing to leave. Now he is talking about a minority government, which it’s not possible. And the PSD is talking about early elections, which is almost impossible.” estimates the political scientist.
