What Bolojan says about Orban's return to PNL, one day after the departure of Nicușor's former adviser from Cotroceni
Ilie Bolojan and Ludovic Orban at the electoral event to launch PNL candidates for the European Parliament elections, in Oradea, Thursday, May 16, 2019. Inquam Photos / Silviu Filip
A month and a half after being appointed as presidential adviser, former prime minister and PNL leader Ludovic Orban left Cotroceni.
Ilie Bolojan spoke about the possibility of the former president of the party, Ludovic Orban, returning to the PNL. Asked in the interview for ȘtirilePROTV.ro. if he would support such a move, Bolojan stated that the relationship between them has always been “civilized and good”, but the subject is not currently on the formation's priority agenda.
“Ludovic Orban was the president of the PNL, he had a history in this party. I have a civilized and good relationship, I have always had it with all the presidents of the PNL, including Mr. Ludovic Orban, but this is an issue that will concern the future and discussions that are not, let's say, today, on the agenda of priorities”, said Bolojan.
The prime minister does not rule out a possible return of the former prime minister to the party, but emphasizes that the decision does not belong to him.
“In principle, I don't see why a liberal with old states could not return to the PNL. This is not about my personal gains, this is about decisions that the party takes,” added the prime minister.
Ludovic Orban was appointed by Nicușor Dan as presidential adviser for internal policy on October 6. On November 15, Ludovic Orban accused USR of using Nicusor Dan's image in the election campaign for the Capital City Hall, saying that this would end up annoying the president's supporters by abusing his image.
“The President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, and the presidential adviser, Ludovic Orban, decided by mutual agreement to end the collaboration. The decision was taken in amicable terms. The President expresses his appreciation for Mr. Orban's activity and wishes him success in future projects,” Cotroceniul reported on Tuesday.
Orban gave his first public explanations in a press conference on Tuesday. “The separation is from the initiative of the president”, he pointed out, saying that he understands the decision of the head of state, although he categorized as “a trifle” the statement he made about the use of Nicușor Dan's image by USR in the election campaign for the Capital City Hall.
