The unexpected victory of the Republican candidate Donald Trump in the US elections has stirred reactions in the political environment in Romania. Nevertheless, politicians of all colours express confidence the Romania-US partnership will further continue.
PSD leader Liviu Dragnea: I believe Romania’s partnership with the US will remain strong
“The US citizens have decided. Firstly, it is a victory for democracy. The voters have sent a message about how important is that their elected leaders understand the economic problems and to hand over solutions. I am optimistic following the statements made by the president elect an hours ago regarding the maintaining of the US international partnerships. I believe that Romania’s partnership with the United States will remain a strong one,” the Social-democrat leader Liviu Dragnea wrote on his Facebook page.
PNL leader Alina Gorghiu: Trump’s victory – surprising. The relationship with the US will be very good further on
“It was a surprising result if we consider the opinion polls before the elections, but it is a clear victory. Donald Trump and the Republican Party deserve congratulations for this victory. Together, they’ve won the Presidency, the by-elections for the Senate and for the House of Representatives,” PNL leader Alina Gorghiu said on Wednesday.
The message to be read is the people’s needs should not be ignored, she said.
“The political class and the political parties should listen to the people and to solve the problems,” Gorghiu added.
The PNL Chair also expressed confidence the relationship between Romania and the United States will be very good further on.
“Let’s not forget that during the Republican President George W. Bush, Romania has joined NATO and has strengthened the relation with the US. I believe the US will further on be a reliable partner within NATO, will maintain good relations with the European Union. The EU-US partnership, the foundation stone of global economic stability and the most powerful military alliance in history will further on play the positive part they played until now,” the PNL chair said.
Former President Traian Basescu: Brexit and USexit, signals that the peoples want to put an end to the governances that forgot to focus on individuals
Referring to the Romania-US relations, PMP President, former President Traian Basescu said he does not anticipate major changes. “The way Donald Trump has announced victory leaves no doubts. He said the friends of the US will remain the friends of the US, that he will try to solve the disputes by agreements – a signal for all those considered as adversaries for the US. However, it is obvious that the first concern will be the American people,” Traian Basescu said.
On the other hand he said: “Making a comparison, I’d say after Brexit, USexit has come. It was a vote that says ‘no’ to the political establishment, because Donald Trump is not coming from parties, but from business. On the other hand, it is a signal for the European Union not to make illusions that without promoting changes it will go further. It becomes evident that peoples, such as the British and American ones, will decide by vote and will reject politicians addressing them. The government, while looking at the business environment and at multinational companies, have forgotten to focus on people, on their own people.”
Former President Ion Iliescu: The results of the US elections – unity among the power structures
“Everybody has closely watched the elections in the United States, not only the presidential elections. Besides the win of the Republican Party candidate, comes the victory of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives and in the Senate – they have a conservative majority which will support the president’s decisions. This is a very important element for the elections,” the PSD Honorary President Ion Iliescu said on Wednesday.
Iliescu also said Donald Trump brings along a surprise – he is an individual coming from outside the political life, but the power of the three components will give him strength.
Former PM Victor Ponta: Trump’s victory is not a danger for Romania, it is an opportunity
“Politics must be about people” – Donald Trump said during the campaign – and not about “what should be” or “what we think is best” or about “stupid people, misinformed, which does not understand what to vote for” or about “what the analysts or the institutions say”! Those who did not understand what Brexit meant do not understand even now. They will not understand in the future (…) The American people have agreed with Trump and have voted for him! The people always know better what is to be done! My view is clear – electing Trump is not a danger for Romania. (…) It is an opportunity which we could turn into account (if we are able to),” Victor Ponta wrote on Wednesday on his Facebook page.
ALDE leader Calin Popescu Tariceanu: The victory should not cause fear
ALDE leader, also Senate Speaker Calin Popescu Tariceanu has said that Donald Trump’s victory “should not necessarily be considered a surprise and should not stir fear.”
“Actually, the victory is the result of the American people’s desire and should be respected, this is democracy. We should have it the same way,” Tariceanu said.
“I believe the relations between Romania and the US will remain at the same level, based on the strategic partnership. Romania is a reliable partner for the US and has proven it, the same way the US has proven for Romania. I believe the relationship will go on further on at the same level as it worked until now,” the ALDE leader said. Tariceanu added he does not believe the US election results will influence the general elections in Romania.