ACL, Iohannis close the ranks for the runoff presidential voting

Who is offering and who is denying support to the Liberal contender?

Now the first round of the presidential elections ended, with the final results showing an approximate ten percent margin between the two contenders for the run-off election on November 16, all eyes are set on if the second-placed Klaus Iohannis is going to catch up or even beat Victor Ponta. A few European leaders representing right wing parties have expressed support for the Liberal candidate, while Romanian parties’ leaders, especially those who got out of the presidential race, avoided to offer him an official transparent reinforcement. Eventually some wouldn’t, as a politician can tell his voters ‘vote for another one, if you cannot vote me’, but it is not mandatory for the voters to obey the politician.

However, Iohannis himself made it clear on his Monday’ s press conference that he would not bargain on attracting more votes. Asked if he is going to negotiate with his former opponents in the first round for securing political support, Iohannis said: “I won’t negotiate with any politician, I want the Romanians’ vote. So, I am inviting them, I am asking them to join me, but I want their direct vote, I want to establish a direct connection with the voter, not through some politicians. Therefore, I won’t negotiate with any candidate who left the race”.

Yet, questioned what his opinion is about some Liberals’ request to bring Crin Antonescu and Monica Macovei to help him increase chances for the runoff voting, Iohannis appealed to all Right wing persons “Antonescu and others included” to come and join him.

While ex-presidential independent candidate Monica Macovei and former PNL President Crin Antonescu kept a low profile and voiced no reply yet, ex-PMP contender Elena Udrea said her party would not negotiate anything for the run-off election, but it could express a point of view related to the two contenders Ponta and Iohannis. On the other hand, Udrea’s authority was again challenged on Monday by one of PMP’s high profile MEP, Cristian Preda, who asked for Udrea’s resignation and for the party to support Iohannis at November 16 ballot. Hardly had Preda voiced his opinion when PMP leadership voted for the maverick MEP’s ousting from the party. Udrea argued the decision saying “character matters in politics just it does in life”.

Coming back to Iohannis, he could also attract votes coming from the Magyar community. While UDMR leader Kelemen Hunor said his party would decide which candidate would support on Thursday, some local leaders even arguing that the name of the future heralded prime minister would practically swing over one contender or another, Magyar MEP Lazlo Tokes came to the light announcing he would support Iohannis for the runoff voting, saying he is convinced Iohannis will solve the demands of Szeklers living in Transylvania.

All in all, Joseph Daul, leader of the European People’s Party advised Romanian parties that belong to EPP- PMP, PNTCD and UDMR, besides PNL and PDL- to support Iohannis to win presidential elections, as he will do it.

Gunther Krichbaum, German MP and President of the Commission for European Affairs at the Bundestag also expressed on Monday a stance favoring right wing candidates, including Iohannis.

Read what Krichbaum said on diaspora vote topic.