President Klaus Iohannis told the press conference marking his 100 days in office on Tuesday evening that his greatest discontent during this time and “the greatest backlog” is represented by the response of the Parliament to the requests of the Judiciary and the still lengthy procedures for lifting MPs’ immunity for criminal investigations.
“The first 100 days of my term have passed. Some wonder why I haven’t spoken more during this period, why I haven’t had the first reaction to every breaking piece of news, why I am not publicly admonishing other institutions, why I am not slamming other politicians. Because it is not my job to do that and because my promise was to go in for politics with less talking and more deeds. Let’s everyone mind our business, with responsibility,” the Romanian president began his speech, thus retorting to the latest critics against “his alleged low profile” on the current affairs of the past weeks.
Iohannis also explained that he underwent so many visits abroad. “Foreign policy is a fundamental attribute of a head of state, and a strong and efficient foreign policy means a strong and efficient state. During all these 100 days Romania began to recover its respect and credibility abroad. I will go to as many places as possible where large Romanian communities live,” the president argued.
Yet, Klaus Iohannis did not avoid home affairs, justice and corruption cases.
‘My greatest discontent remains the way the Parliament keeps responding to Judiciary’s requests,’ the President said, calling for the politicians tainted by corruption suspicions to step aside.
‘As regards the politicians suspected of corruption and their avoidance of Justice, there is a test; if one fails it, no one can help. It’s the personal integrity. In politics, if you make a big mistake, you should resign,’ Iohannis stated.
However, President Klaus Iohannis announced that after the (Easter) holiday he would table a new round of consultations to the parliamentary parties in order to see “where does the legislation amendment stand.”
“We’ll see what it is that could be done in this parliamentary session,” Klaus Iohannis said, adding that he will have further discussions with the parliamentary parties and that he is certain that things will get corrected.
Gov’t slammed for not consulting him on Tax Code
As far as the Government is concerned, President Iohannis pointed out it hasn’t basically changed and that he is not expecting this government to get more efficient. “When other Government is coming, this is a question that needs to be launched to the political parties in Parliament. I don’t intend to take over the Opposition’s role. If the Opposition succeeds in gathering votes for a no confidence motion, then we shall have a different Government”, Iohannis told the press conference.
He went on saying that any president wants to have his own Government, with whom he can work with, formally and informally in all state matters. “I would have imagined that a Government that is willing to work with me, should have come to me to talk before presenting significant amendments to the Tax Code and to see how these can be put into force. This didn’t happen, like in other matters as well. I do not want to make the Government’s job, but I think a Gov’t that is willing to collaborate with the president should inform or consult him over important state matters”, Iohannis argued.
In retort, PM Victor Ponta said he was not annoyed by the fact that President Iohannis wanted his own government, yet mentioning that the head of state himself pointed out the incumbent Executive will rule as long as it is supported by the parliamentary majority, thus it can stay after 2016 as well.
‘Former President is enjoying his pension. He is very vocal and is ‘posting on sites’
President Klaus Iohannis said he had no discussions with former President Traian Basescu and the former head of state is “enjoying his pension”, being “very vocal and he is posting on sites”, adding that he wishes him to be in good health.
Asked what his relationship with former President Traian Basescu is like and if he has considered Basescu’s request to invalidate the appointment of Eugen Teodorovici as minister of finance, because he opposed the arrest of Dan Sova, President Klaus Iohannis said: “I haven’t met the former president, I have not asked him for anything, we haven’t talked about politics nor about his residence. However, when it comes to his advice, I find out that he is enjoying his pension, he is vocal and he is posting on sites. I wish him to be in good health.”
Traian Basescu retorted a few hours later, saying that he doesn’t know who is posting more on Facebook or if somebody can exceed Iohannis on posting.
Former President Traian Basescu posted on Monday on Facebook a message tackling the issue of validating Eugen Teodorovici as Minister of Finance, noting: “The oath by Teodorovici, that’s it. Point at… the summer of 2012. Go ahead! ”
The former president has also sent on Sunday evening a message on Facebook addressed to president Iohannis, telling him that by validating Eugen Teodorovici as Minister of Finance, after the Senate vote on the Sova file that is a „signal” that he is “being sent back to Grivco”.
No official residence for the President yet
In another train of thoughts, asked about his moving in the presidential residence at Vila Lac 3, Iohannis said that no official residence has been assigned to him yet during these 100 days in office. “The first 100 days of my term have passed and the Romanian state hasn’t given me the official residence yet. What is going to happen next, we shall keep watch over it,” Iohannis said.
Lobby for the First Lady institution
The president also remarked that the First Lady institution doesn’t exist in Romania.
“My first lady, my wife is accompanying me all over where is possible and it is a first step to fit a debate on this institution in the public space,” the president said.
Connection with Vanghelie denied
Questioned if he talked to district 5 mayor Marian Vanghelie (serving a pre-trial jail sentence in a corruption case) and TV producer Rares Bogdan, considering the latest Vanghelie’s statements that he would have access to the President through the TV producer, Iohannis said: “I have never met Mr. Vanghelie, he has no mutual acquaintance with me through whom he might get to me. I saw all this story as a hilarious matter. If you want me to give a very short answer: no way.”