Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan states that the formation of a stable government cannot be the result of public statements, but of solid political understandings, referring to Sorin Grindeanu’s statements that he accepts the rotation, but with PSD first in government. Romania needs one “agree” or one “political truce” to maintain its budgetary and institutional stability, adds the prime minister.
Why does Sorin Grindeanu want to be prime minister now?
Asked about PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu’s desire to become prime minister, Bolojan replied that he has the right to want the position, but linked the discussion to the wider political context and the tensions within the coalition. It was a combination of factors, Bolojan said.
Regarding the recent political dynamics, the interim prime minister referred to the initiation of the no-confidence motion by the PSD and the difficulties in the governing coalitions, claiming that part of the dysfunctions are generated by “economic and political interests” intersected with influences from state-owned companies.
Romania risks losing money or ending up with an armistice government
Bolojan states that the urgent adoption of a package of essential laws for the PNRR represents a condition of political responsibility, in the context of negotiations regarding the future governing formula.
“We still have 6 important laws for the PNRR to be adopted. 3 were adopted yesterday, but 6 laws with very large sums of money are still unadopted: the urban planning code blocked in the Chamber since December, we have the salary law. A first agreement for these laws would be a condition of responsibility”, declared the interim prime minister.
He reiterated the idea that, in the second part of July, the Parliament should be convened in an extraordinary session for the rapid adoption of these laws.
In the absence of such an agreement, Bolojan warned that Romania risks the loss of European funds or the emergence of a provisional government formula.
“If the laws are not passed, either Romania loses money, or an armistice-type government is found to take responsibility for these laws”, he said.
The interim prime minister rejected the idea that he would avoid taking a political position, amid questions about the negotiations for the position of prime minister.
“We want to find a formula. People are fed up with how many declarations have not been respected. I am trying to do everything necessary to get Romania out of this situation”, said Bolojan.
“Governments are not made through statements on TV”
Bolojan commented on PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu’s statements regarding the acceptance of a government rotation, on the condition that PSD gives the prime minister first.
“Governments are not made through public statements or on TV. One serious thing that Romania needs is a government. In order to keep Romania financially stable, we must not lose the money from the PNRR and adopt laws”, said Bolojan, during the podcast “Friendly Fire”, made by Vlad Petreanu and Moise Guran.
He emphasized that, in order to achieve these objectives, a clear political agreement between the parties is necessary. “For this we must have a political agreement or a political truce. These are matters of great responsibility,” Bolojan specified.
Regarding the relationship with the PSD, Bolojan stated that the recent discussions mark a change of tone on the part of the social democrats, after previous episodes in which the government circular had been rejected.
“Mr. Grindeanu, in relation to the discussion that blocked an evolution in the establishment of a political agreement, has a change of tone”, he said, adding that the PSD previously had a more rigid position in the negotiations.
Bolojan also claimed that one of the main problems in the relationship with the PSD is “loss of confidence”, which is why the PNL requested additional guarantees in possible political agreements.
“The basic problem we have is the loss of trust in the PSD. That is why we asked for a reciprocity agreement, which are the guarantees that such an installation has the effect of taking the necessary measures”, he explained.
Regarding the governing formula, the interim prime minister stated that the scenario of a completely rebuilt coalition is difficult to achieve.
“It is difficult to assume that a government with the restored coalition can still function. It can be minority governments or truce-type governments for a clear period”, concluded Ilie Bolojan.
