Consultations on new Executive: PSD, no proposal for PM, technocrats gov’t option considered. PNL insists on snap elections

The Social Democrat Party (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) and leaders of the national minorities’ parliamentary group came to consultation with President Iohannis at Cotroceni Palace on Thursday, to debate options for setting up a new Government.

PSD President Liviu Dragnea said on Thursday evening he has proposed to President Klaus Iohannis to organize several consultations on the appointment of the new prime minister and of the new political programme, ziare.com reports.
Liviu Dragnea has led the PSD delegation that participated to the consultations held at Cotroceni Palace after Ponta cabinet’s resignation. The consultations between the president and the Social-Democratic Party, the largest party in the ruling coalition, lasted about 30 minutes.
“I thought that is not effective to discuss today about one person or another for prime minister, I proposed the president to have a different approach (…) to mutually agree on the parties that come to these consultations under the direction of president and to take into consideration what the Romanians want, both those who took to the streets, and the other millions as well, to set our social, economic, political objectives to be achieved in the coming period, goals that would provide the state and the economy’s functionality, ensuring the functioning on the basis of rule of law and justice independence,” Dragnea said after the consultations.
Other statements:
– PSD’s objective is to ensure conditions for the functioning of hospitals and schools, but also to respect certain criteria of integrity;
– the PSD leader listed several options to pursue, including a government of technocrats, and said he is not a supporter of early elections;
– After the President sums up a first conclusion after the talks with the civil society, we can have another round of consultations with all party leaders that agree on this idea;
– Only after this step we could see a minimum governing programme, involving all parties, including the president, the profile of the Premier, the profile of ministers, so that we can go to Parliament with a discussed and stable solution.
– Asked by journalists if the PSD would accept a national unity government, Dragnea seemed to accept. “Not only we accept, I want to start from something else, not from nominating a person to knocking on the door of each party, so that we all have emotions to see if Parliament gives the go-ahead for the government,” he argued.
– “PSD does not seek to escape responsibility.

Social Democrat sources told Mediafax news agency that PSD would be willing to give up the prime minister position and even endorse a government od technocrats.

So, although Liviu Dragnea was saying his party had a proposal for the premier position on Wednesday, on Thursday he didn’t spoke it out, moreover he did not rule out the possibility of endorsing a government of technocrats.

The quoted sources unveiled that PSD’s revised stance and willingness to directly assume ruling were prompted by the second day of protests and by the messages voiced by the people who took to the streets.

At the beginning of consultations with leaders of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), President Iohannis said the best solutions must be found, because “it is much more than a mere change of government.”

“I want to know the opinions, solutions and concepts the parties come up with in this attempt to find a good solution for a new government. In my opinion, it is much more than a mere government change. I believe we are talking about a paradigm change in the Romanian politics and I believe it is good to find the best solutions,” the head of state said.

Liberals favor snap elections idea

The National Liberal Party (PNL) expressed view that snap elections are necessary now and achievable through several constitutional ways, with one such way being the resignation of the entire Parliament.

“Even if there are no explicit constitutional provisions to this end, it is obvious that a Parliament with zero members no longer has a mandate to carry on. As far as organising the general election is concerned, the only law in force was adopted by Parliament this July. That law, which regulates voting lists of candidates, says nothing about by-elections,” PNL said in a press statement.

On the other hand, ActiveWatch media watchdog is calling on President Klaus Iohannis and parliamentary political parties not to highjack the current social protests against the political class and systemic corruption by holding snap elections.

ActiveWatch says the suggestion of the National Liberal Party (PNL) is “cynical and running contrary to market demand.” “The party is using popular unrest as a ground for snap elections to block precisely the chance for reforming the political class,” reads the statement.