The joining of forces by the PSD and the PNL should have simplified the Coalition's approach to winning three mayor's offices in Bucharest where they do not have an mayor, but finding the most suitable people is a headache, as the candidates from sectors 1, 2 and 5 are still uncertain , according to “The Truth” information.
Coalition leaders, Marcel Ciolacu and Nicolae Ciucă PHOTO Mediafax
In less than 24 hours, PSD and PNL changed twice the plan of attack for the Town Halls in sectors 1, 2 and 5. On Monday evening, for a few hours, PSD and PNL bypassed sector 1, following as social – the democrats should give the candidate, not the liberals, as was the initial discussion. There were three options on the table: Alexandru Petrescu, Adrian Streinu-Cercel and Petre Florin Manole. A liberal would have been placed in sector 2, a big problem for the PNL, which does not really have a candidate with a chance in this administrative-territorial subunit, with the exception of Monica Anisie or a candidate from outside the party.
But on Tuesday morning, there was a change of heart in the Coalition, so sector 1 went to the liberals again, according to sources at the top of the PNL. And the favorite is deputy George Tuță, although Sebastian Burduja is better in the polls, as Nicolae Ciucă himself announced. However, PNL sources claim that until the validation from the National Political Bureau on Thursday, none of the options can be considered safe.
Prefect Hopincă, between sectors 2 and 5
Instead, in sector 2, the PSD has to choose between Rareș Hopincă (now prefect) and deputy Dan Cristian Popescu, former vice mayor of this sector in the period 2016-2020, when he was rather the shadow mayor. Popescu narrowly lost the 2020 elections. Hopincă is also seen as an option for the Sector 5 City Hall. Moreover, Hopincă was the city manager of sector 5, before Piedone's return to office.
The Secretary General of the PSD, Paul Stănescu, stated that the discussions to cover the three candidacies will be continued on Wednesday, the only consensus in their case being that they must be politicians supported by both parties. Instead, in sectors 3, 4 and 6, the incumbent mayors remain supported: Robert Negoiță, Daniel Băluță and Ciprian Ciucu.
The list of candidates must be ready by Thursday afternoon, when both parties will call the leaders from the territory to validate both the candidates for the European Parliament and some of those for the local elections.
