PSD Congress officially nominates PM Viorica Dancila as the party’s candidate in the presidential election

PSD’s Extraordinary Congress has designated the Romanian Prime Minister and chairwoman of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Viorica Dancila as the party’s candidate in the presidential elections in an unanimous vote of the delegates convened in the meeting on Saturday.

After being designated as PSD’ presidential candidate, Dancila said that her bid for Cotroceni is based on the idea that the country should not led from Cotroceni Palace or Victoria Palace, but amongst people and standing by them.

“I believe in the Social Democratic Party, in our force, in the strength that we have proved in the key-moments of our past. This is our essence! We adapt, we re-invent ourselves, fight and win, we win with the force and the strength which has governed us in the past 30 years and which made us become the greatest and most powerful party in Romania. (…) This country cannot be led by from Cotroceni or the Government. Romania should be led amongst the people, together with them, next to them and not every five years, but every work day, because the president is indebted to work for the country, to try a deep transformation from the bottom, from the roots,” Dancila stated, adding she will always remain close to the people and that she believes “in family, in God, in work and honour” and every decision she has made was “to help mothers, children, young people, retirees”.

Moreover, Dancila has argued that “a respectable president” doesn’t go to the European Union to answer to others. “He goes to defend Romania, to build good relations with foreign officials and to represent the interest of his country. We proved that we can coordinate European projects of interest for Romania and we did well. Romania’s Presidency at the Council of the European Union was a successful project, in which Romania proved its strong attachment to the European values (…) our essence is though to put our country and fellow nationals first. We have to carry out this fight against some political foes who are increasingly determined to see us kneeling, weakened, disorganised and fragmented. We already know that they will take out all their weapons and attack us. We are aware and ready. But, we cannot be defeated so easily as some people believe in all their arrogance, because we have what they were never able to have, because they never felt it – the closeness to the Romanians,”  the PSD chairwoman pointed out.

On the other hand, Dancila denied she will quit the presidential race in favor of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) leader Calin Popescu Tariceanu.

“No, definitely not. I have always said that I am a fair person and I will remain fair to my colleagues, to the Social Democratic Party which gave me their confidence and I cannot disappoint them. I should not disappoint the Romanians who have confidence in me, the ones who are signing for my candidacy, therefore, this thing won’t happen,” the PM said.

Viorica Dancila further stated that she will “fight with all her strength” in order to counter human trafficking, domestic violence and child abuse.

“I started a fight against criminality and I will not stop. I promised drastic penalties for criminals, rapists and pedophiles and that’s what I will do. I promised a reform of the Interior Ministry, which is already under way (…) I will fight with all my strength in order to counted human trafficking, domestic violence and child abuse. I will fight for a safe Romania, in which the vulnerable ones won’t become victims,” Dancila said, stressing that her vision is “a Romania where safety comes first and the law is roughen for any act that endangers the people’s lives,” hinting to the recent Caracal case.

Mihai Fifor: PSD is ready to give Romania the first woman president

Secretary General of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) Mihai Fifor has told the Congress that the Social-Democrats are ready to give Romania the first woman president.

“Romanians have waited too long for a hardworking and involved president. A president of all Romanians. Dear colleagues, the Social Democratic Party is ready to give Romanians this president. A firm, but emphatic leader, non-conflictual, direct, sincere, honest and a very good organiser. A leader who has respect for the doctors, teachers, firefighters and policemen, servicemen, for entrepreneurs, peasants or workers. A fair and dignified leader. The Social Democratic Party is ready to give Romania the first woman president, a president who will fight every day for the better, for his country. And this president, dear colleagues, can only be the Prime Minister of Romania, Mrs Viorica Dancila,” Fifor said.