Băsescu criticizes Grindeanu for the quarrels in the coalition: “He's just paying lip service”

Former president Traian Băsescu criticized on Thursday the statements of the PSD leader, Sorin Grindeanu, regarding a possible reconfiguration of the coalition or a change of the prime minister, stating that he is “sabotaging his own prime minister” and making “an image game, but unconvincing”.

In an intervention on Digi24, Băsescu claimed that Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan “proves that he is the prime minister of Romania, he is neither of the coalition, nor of the liberals, nor of Grindeanu”.

“Bolojan is tenaciously pursuing the achievement of the objectives related to the restoration of Romania's macro-economic balances. I think that this correction must be made regarding whose prime minister Bolojan is. He is the prime minister of Romania,” said the former head of state.

“Grindeanu gives his mouth, and Bolojan takes the money to the country”

Referring to the dispute within the coalition, Băsescu said that, in his opinion, the winner is the prime minister.

“The winner, if we discuss the Grindeanu-Bolojan dispute, can only be Bolojan, because he acts while this one gives his mouth. (…) They will make us receive 2.4 billion next month. Grindeanu gives his mouth, and Bolojan takes the money to the country”, he said.

The former president criticized the messages regarding a possible exit of the PSD from the government or a change of the prime minister

“It is not possible that while the prime minister is negotiating at the Commission (…) the adjustment of this PNRR so that we lose less money or not at all, the messages coming from Bucharest are “we are kicking him out”, “we are leaving the coalition”, “we no longer want him as prime minister”. Any statement from Bucharest about the Government reaches Ursula von der Leyen's table in a few minutes. I think what Grindeanu is doing is simply sabotaging his own prime minister”, Băsescu said.

Băsescu also spoke about the position of President Nicușor Dan, who, according to him, is trying to keep the coalition functional through dialogue.

“I think that Nicușor is in a situation where from time to time he talks sometimes with Bolojan, sometimes with Grindeanu, sometimes with Fritz, and tries to keep the coalition in working conditions. I don't believe in blocking the coalition,” declared the former president.

He added that what is seen are the PSD's “blockages in the introduction of certain measures that the Government envisages”, but that the alliance will not break.

“The coalition will not fall apart. What Grindeanu is doing is a low-profile game from the point of view of political value. (…) They are there, with their vote in Parliament and with the signatures in the Government. Grindeanu will not succeed in fooling anyone. It is simply an image game, but unconvincing”, said Băsescu.

Grindeanu criticizes the relationship with Bolojan

Băsescu's statements come after the leader of the PSD, Sorin Grindeanu, announced on Wednesday, in an interview for G4Media, that he will propose to his party colleagues an extended consultation to decide whether the formation remains in government in the current coalition or in a restricted formula, without USR, and whether it continues to support the mandate of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.

Grindeanu stated that the relationship between the PSD and the prime minister “was not extraordinarily smooth and constructive” and that an internal evaluation regarding the future of the coalition is necessary.

On Thursday, Grindeanu said, in a press conference, that until now, he felt that Ilie Bolojan was only the prime minister of USR, not of the entire coalition.

Asked on Thursday, in Brussels, about the PSD leader's statements, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said that he did not have time to check them and that the parties have the right to do their internal consultations, stating that his obligation is “to do what is right for Romania” and to respect the government program.