“There is no one in the Government with anti-American perceptions.” Bolojan, asked if Grindeanu was wrong with the statements about the appointment of Oana Gheorghiu: “Citizens will judge us at the right time”

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan declared on Thursday evening, on Digi24, that in the Government of Romania “there is no one who has anti-American perceptions”, after Sorin Grindeanu criticized the appointment of Oana Gheorghiu as Deputy Prime Minister, stating that “we risk compromising the relationship with the United States of America”.

“The Government of Romania works in the service of the country, and the relationship with the USA is a strategic relationship, which we are working to develop and strengthen. Therefore, there is no one in the Government who has such perceptions,” said Bolojan.

The Prime Minister added that it is natural for some members of the Executive to have personal opinions, but official actions must be “responsible and in the interest of Romania”.

“You can have an opinion about what is happening in one state or another, but it is one thing to have some personal opinions, and another is to act on behalf of Romania. And we act responsibly,” said Bolojan.

The prime minister conveyed that the stability of the coalition is based on collaboration and respect, not on confrontations, reminding that “one is a criticism, which can also be from within, another is the respect of agreements and a responsible attitude that Romania needs”.

“I have always tried, being aware of the fact that when you are in a coalition you have to collaborate, build trust, avoid confrontations. You cannot rebuild citizens' trust in the political world if, first of all, we do not respect each other. One is criticism, which can also be from within, another is compliance with agreements and a responsible attitude that Romania needs,” said the prime minister.

Asked if the PSD leader was wrong with his statements, Ilie Bolojan answered: “Citizens will judge each of us at the right time for the actions we carry out in the political or public positions we hold.”

Grindeanu had asked Bolojan to “urgently withdraw the proposal” to appoint Oana Gheorghiu as deputy prime minister

Oana Gheorghiu, co-founder of the “Give Life” Association, appointed deputy prime minister by President Nicuşor Dan, took the oath on Thursday, October 30, at the Cotroceni Palace.

Oana Gheorghiu had criticized the current US administration on social networks, and Grindeanu claimed that by possibly appointing her as deputy prime minister “we risk compromising the relationship with the United States of America”.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan proposed the co-founder of “Dăruiște Viață” for the position of deputy prime minister left vacant after the resignation of Dragoș Anastasiu

The proposal of Oana Gheorghiu for the position of deputy prime minister created tensions.

After the Government's announcement, the PSD leader, Sorin Grindeanu, asked the Prime Minister to “urgently withdraw his proposal”.

“In order to avoid compromising the relationship with the United States of America and not heading towards an irreparable diplomatic disaster in relation to our strategic partner, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan must immediately withdraw his proposal submitted to President Nicusor Dan by which he nominates Mrs. Oana Gheorghiu as Deputy Prime Minister in the Government of Romania!”, Sorin Grindeanu said.

Grindeanu said that the Government is “already full of anti-American voices and critics of the Trump Administration”.

“Those who dream of high positions in the Romanian state must understand once and for all that every irresponsible statement thrown into the public space directly hits Romania's strategic interests! In a Government already full of anti-American voices and critics of the Trump Administration, how do such appointments help and give credibility to Romania's approaches on important issues in relation to the transatlantic ally? I remind you of the Visa Waiver, a step so expected by all Romanians!”, he continued the social democrat.

In response, Oana Gheorghiu said that nothing she wrote on her personal Facebook page before taking over the position of deputy prime minister “in no way engages the Romanian state or the Government of Romania”.