What two former PNL presidents say about the censure motion against Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan
Two former presidents of the PNL, Ludovic Orban and Crin Antonescu, warn that the censure motion against the Bolojan Government puts the party in front of a critical decision and they emphasize that Ilie Bolojan is the figure who can decide the direction of the liberals.
Crin Antonescu and Ludovic Orban. PHOTO archive The truth
Ludovic Orban – currently leader of the Forța Dreptei party – analyzed on Tuesday evening, on Digi24, the situation of the National Liberal Party in the context of the censure motion submitted by PSD, AUR and PACE against the Government led by Ilie Bolojan.
Orban said the liberals were facing a decisive decision and warned that a possible resignation of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan would represent a major blow to the party.
The former president of the PNL explained that, in his opinion, the party has only two options: either it remains consistent with the decision not to govern with the PSD and goes into opposition if the social democrats claim the position of prime minister, or it restores the coalition with the PSD by accepting a prime minister approved by them.
Ludovic Orban argues that the second option would be disastrous for liberals, stating that “at that time, the National Liberal Party signed its sentence”.
The liberal liberal leader insisted that Ilie Bolojan is “a serious man” and warned that he would not remain at the helm of the PNL if the party accepted a new deal with the PSD, “and the loss of a leader like Ilie Bolojan is an irreparable loss for the National Liberal Party”.
Regarding the scenario in which the censure motion would pass, Orban believes that the timing of the Cotroceni consultations would be decisive for the future of the PNL.
Ludovic Orban: “The next target will be Nicușor Dan”
Orban stressed that the party must firmly establish its position ahead of the negotiations and not accept a return to a governing formula alongside the PSD, which he described as lacking guarantees and deeply risky for liberal identity.
Ludovic Orban believes that President Nicușor Dan should do everything in his power to avoid the dismissal of the Government led by Ilie Bolojan.
The former PNL leader warned, also on Digi 24, that if the motion submitted by PSD and AUR passes, “the next target will be Nicușor Dan”.
Crin Antonescu: PNL must choose between governance and loyalty to its leader
The former president of the PNL, Crin Antonescu, said on Tuesday, on News Hour with CNN, that the liberals are facing a major decision in the current political crisis: either they remain in government, or they follow their leader, Ilie Bolojan.
Antonescu described the prime minister as “a paradox”, a politician who simultaneously enjoys support and antipathy among the electorate, according to Antena3.
The former Liberal leader said the responsibility for the political crisis lies primarily with the prime minister and the president, who lead the coalition. In his opinion, Bolojan has taken it upon himself to stay in office until the end, but the essential question is who takes responsibility for the failure of collaboration between the parties.
“There is a hierarchy of responsibilities” said the former Liberal leader, pointing out that a difficult coalition is finding answers at the top.
The former president of the PNL also commented on the public discourse surrounding the prime minister, stating that “pro‑Bolojan propaganda” brought up the topic of the relationship with PSD again. Antonescu pointed out that the social democrats remain an important political reality, and the vote of the approximately 250 parliamentarians who supported the motion represents a clear signal regarding the Government's desire for change.
Regarding the Prime Minister's reaction after PSD's withdrawal of political support, Antonescu said that the natural gesture would have been resignation. Prolonging the crisis, he believes, does not help anyone.
If the motion passes, the consultations from Cotroceni will be decisive, and the president Nicușor Dan will have an essential role in the attempt to rebuild a majority, Antonescu believes.
“Ilie Bolojan is a man with support, but also with a lot of antipathy”
In his opinion, the PNL will have to decide whether to participate in a new pro-Western government or whether to go in the direction drawn by its leader, who is in full political ascent. “Ilie Bolojan is a man with support, but also with a lot of antipathy, but he is the most visible politician in this crisis”, Antonescu said, adding that liberals must choose between short-term opportunism and a deep internal reconfiguration.
