PM Victor Ponta turned down invitation to take part in an electoral debate at Timisoara West University, arguing this proposal is noble but Romanian Academy, a community centre or a factory could also be invoked as proper places for any electoral debate. “The options for the electoral debates that Mr. Iohannis is forwarding trough intermediates or directly are representing a vote of censure on the Romanian media”, Ponta posted on Facebook.
As for PNL leader Klaus Iohannis, he has accepted a debate in Timisoara. “I received an invitation from Timisoara West University and I would consider it a very good option. It is good that the final debate between candidates running for Presidency should take place in Timisoara, now that we are marking 25 years since the Revolution,” Iohannis argued.
Asked why he wouldn’t agree to Ponta’s proposal of four debates on four different TV channels, Iohannis replied, “this debate should take place where all the media has access, where a candidate or another should not be suspected of taking any illegitimate advantage”.
On the other hand, Iohannis and his staff performed a first scanning of the first round of presidential elections, saying the poor outcome obtained in the southern regions of the country is mostly due to PSD and Victor Ponta’s “misinformation and smear campaign” against him.