Theodor Stolojan warns of the risks in the coalition after the PSD attacks on Ilie Bolojan: “These frictions only reduce the efficiency of the government's activity and collapse people's confidence that things can be put in order in Romania”
Theodor Stolojan, Photo: Inquam Photos / George Călin
The former PNL president, Theodor Stolojan, said in an interview for Cotidianul that, despite the attacks, PSD has no interest in Ilie Bolojan leaving the head of the Government. What's more, the former prime minister claims that the social democrats want him to remain in office in order to carry out the reforms and to settle in their place. Thus, Theodor Stolojan says that “categorically” Ilie Bolojan will remain prime minister until 2027. Then the rotation would take place, according to the protocol signed by the coalition, and the PSD would take over the position of prime minister.
“As you can see, no party wants to break the coalition, fundamentally. The PSD does not want this either, especially since in 2027 he is going to take the position of prime minister. Mr. Grindeanu has a congress on November 7 and he must show that he is an authentic leader of the PSD. This kind of friction is free. This summoning of the prime minister to Parliament…, things are very clear. In the meantime, explanations have also been given. The work That's free. There are, however, things that generate problems in the local and central administration. It's the political coterie that opposes it with all its teeth,” said Stolojan, quoted by News.ro.
He says there is a risk that the current coalition will become ineffective because of these frictions.
“But, basically, no one wants to break the coalition, because all four parties that form the governing coalition want to stay in power. But these frictions, some gratuitous, others real, only reduce the efficiency of the government's activity and collapse people's confidence that things can be put in order in Romania. This is the first risk,” Stolojan drew attention.
He told Cotidianul that the second risk is that the unions are preparing to protest and threaten to strike.
“They are one of the engines that created this situation in the budget system. Respectively, the budget system in Romania is flawed from head to toe. In any direction you look, it is flawed by this multitude of benefits, increases, privileges, excess staff”, explains the former prime minister.
Stolojan also commented on the rhetoric of the mayor of Craiova, Lia Olguţa Vasilescu.
“He is a very good mayor in Craiova, I understand. But Mrs. Vasilescu Olguţa has a problem: she does not understand that Bolojan did not come from nowhere in the position of prime minister. He is a man who was mayor, president of the county council, who knows very well what is happening at the level of the town halls, the county councils, at the central level. (…) You have seen what Mrs. Vasilescu is proposing: to resign, to leave, to I don't know what. If there was someone in Bolojan's place that the PSD-ists and other mayors would have played on their fingers… But it doesn't work with Bolojan. All these threats are part of the PSD's political game,” the former liberal leader emphasized.
He also commented on the option in which the PSD would submit a motion of censure.
“No, he won't do this. They are interested in things being fundamentally resolved in the Bolojan Government. And they, in 2027, when they take over the position of prime minister, should no longer have the hassles that Bolojan is having now with the reforms that must be carried out. There are very clear political calculations here, very clear political interests that are manifested in this way”, the former prime minister also appreciated.
