PSD will be missing from the coalition meeting in a sign of USR in protest, because “try to block state funerals and national mourning”
PSD representatives hold a press conference after the consultations with President Nicușor Dan, at the Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, June 19, 2025. Inquam Photos / George Călin
The PSD leaders will not attend the meeting of the ruling coalition on Wednesday, because of the USR, a party that accuses of “lack of decency and humanity against the first president of democratic Romania”, sources from the party leadership, for Hotnews announced. On Wednesday meeting, the second package of fiscal measures and the date of elections at the Capital City Hall will be discussed.
UPDATE 11:05: The interim president of the PSD, Sorin Grindeanu, posted on Facebook the official position of the party. He says that, together with his colleagues in the party leadership, they will not attend the coalition meetings “until the USRs will show political maturity and will review their attitude.”
Initial news:
“Given the totally disrespectful attitude, decent and humanity towards the first president of the democratic Romania that those from USR displayed- including by trying to block state funerals and national mourning- the PSD will not attend the Coalition meeting,” was the message transmitted by sources from the Social Democratic Party.
The message of the Social Democrats comes after, on Tuesday evening, a few hours after the official announcement of Ion Iliescu's death, the USR president announced that the party representatives will not participate in the funerals of former President Ion Iliescu.
“Out of respect for the victims of the Revolution and Mining, USR has proposed in the government meeting not to be a national mourning. We take note of the Government's decision. The USR representatives will not participate in the funeral,” said Dominic Fritz on Tuesday in a Facebook post.
State funerals started on Wednesday morning
The state funerals in honor of former President Ion Iliescu started on Wednesday morning, when the coffin was transported from the SRI Hospital “Agrippa Ionescu”, where Ion Iliescu died on Tuesday, to the Cotroceni Palace. The coffin is deposited on the catafalc in the Unirii Hall, where it will remain until Thursday, when a funeral takes place.
Between 1:00 pm and 18:00, condolences and citizens will be able to present. Their access will be made at the entrance of the registry in Geniului Boulevard (Leo Statue area), and the exit at the Cotroceni road museum.
The public can submit flowers or candles only in the specially arranged space in front of the Cotroceni Palace, in the parking lot of the Presidential Administration in Geniului Boulevard.
At 6:30 pm, the presentation of condolences is scheduled by former collaborators and close ones, after which the order of the Pillars service will be officiated, at 19.00. At 8:00 pm the procession ends
During the Wednesday night to Thursday, the Catafalc Guard will be provided by the 30th “Mihai Viteazul” Guard.
Live video state funerals for Ion Iliescu. The coffin of the former president was deposited at the Cotroceni Palace / the full program of the ceremonies
The funeral, Thursday
On Thursday, August 7, the funeral cortege will leave the Cotroceni Palace to head to the Ghencea 3 cemetery, where the military funeral ceremony will take place.
The burial ceremony of the former president will only take place in the presence of family and close persons.
On Thursday, August 7, it was declared a national mourning day in memory of former President Ion Iliescu, who died on Tuesday, at the age of 95, announced the government on Tuesday evening.
