RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

Tensions within the Ruling Coalition in Romania

Nobody believes anymore in the political marriage between the Social Democratic Party and the National Liberal Party, following the latest statements made by their leaders.

Tensions within the Ruling Coalition in Romania
Tensions within the Ruling Coalition in Romania

, 21.02.2014, 13:10

Officially, the liberal and social democratic leaders of the ruling alliance in Romania are waiting until Monday to see whether there is any chance for the two parties to reconcile, after their public argument over the restructuring of the government. At least this is the deadline set by Liberal party leader Crin Antonescu for Prime Minister Victor Ponta to make the changes requested by the Liberal Party. The most important change, which actually triggered the dispute, is the proposal of Klaus Johannis as Minister of the Interior and deputy Prime Minister.



The statements made on Thursday by the leaders of the two parties deepened the gap within the Social Liberal Union and confirmed the scenario of an imminent separation. Victor Ponta has stated that the intransigent attitude of the Liberal Party and their refusal to analyze the solutions presented by the Social Democratic Party are evidence that Crin Antonescu has chosen to run for president this autumn not as a representative of the Social Liberal Union, but as a representative of the opposition.


Victor Ponta: “I am convinced that Mr. Antonescu has actually made the decision to run on his own as an opposition candidate, because so far the candidates that have run on the part of the opposition have won.”



Crin Antonescu was quick to reply, saying that such a statement is clear evidence of the Prime Minister’s intention to get rid of with the Liberal Party and to give up on the Social Liberal majority for the benefit of a new executive, formed around the recently established Social Democratic Union, which includes the Social Democratic Party and two smaller parties, namely the Conservative Party and the National Union for the Progress of Romania. However, the President of the Liberal Party has warned, this would require a fresh legitimacy, which only Parliament can provide.



Crin Antonescu: “ Mr. Ponta holds the power and the position of Prime Minister together with us, as decided and validated by Romania’s citizens and Parliament. Therefore, in order to stay in power, without the National Liberal Party, he will have to find a new source of this power, something to render it legitimate again.”



The leader of the National Liberal Party has admitted that chances of Monday bringing a miraculous solution to this political crisis are slim. The media have already started to do the math regarding the potential majority of the Social Democratic Union. Arithmetically, this majority could be ensured in the Senate, while in the Chamber of Deputies the Social Democratic Union would need the support of the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians and of the other minorities.



Even if there are chances for Victor Ponta to raise enough votes in Parliament to validate a new government, the big social-liberal projects regarding the revision of the Constitution and Romania’s administrative-territorial reorganization are compromised, at least in the short-run, because two thirds of Parliament are supposed to vote in favor for them to be promoted. Theoretically, a Social Democratic Government can be formed, but in practice its possibilities and subsequently its ambitions would be limited.

Signing of the protocol (foto:
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

Transition program towards F-35, launched

The Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft has been launched.   Romania’s decision to acquire advanced fighter...

Transition program towards F-35, launched
Energy (foto: EdWhiteImages / pixabay.com)
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

The National Energy Strategy, adopted

Using local resources, reducing imports and making massive investments in production capacity are important elements of the new National Energy...

The National Energy Strategy, adopted
European Commission (photo: © European Union - Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photographer: Christophe Licoppe)
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

Political agreement on the new European Commission

    The leaders of the three major political groups in the European Parliament have given the green light to the members of the next...

Political agreement on the new European Commission
Photo: aep.ro
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

13 for Romania

    In Romania, presidential elections usually spark the greatest interest and emotions. Even more so this year, when the two rounds of the...

13 for Romania
Today in the News Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading

On Tuesday, the Romanian company Romgaz launched its first issue of bonds on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, worth 500 million EUR. Romgaz is the...

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania ahead of the presidential election

Next month, President Klaus Iohannis will end his second and last five-year term in office according to the Romanian Constitution. The so-called...

Romania ahead of the presidential election
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels

NATO welcomes Romania’s continuous efforts and its significant contribution to strengthening the Alliance and Euro-Atlantic security, NATO...

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels
Today in the News Monday, 18 November 2024

Downward forecast from the European Commission

Romania’s economic growth estimate has been recalculated by the European Commission (EC), at a value well below the initially established...

Downward forecast from the European Commission

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company