The backstage of the PSD meeting in which Marcel Ciolacu announced that they resign / who takes over the party head and what the leaders did not understand
Congress of the Social Democratic Party for the appointment of the PSD candidate in the presidential elections, at the Parliament Palace in Bucharest, February 2, 2025. Inquam Photos / George Călin
The social-democratic leaders met on Monday night at Vila Lac in the Capital, for a meeting in which Marcel Ciolacu announced that he will resign from the party leader. His function is to be taken over by one of the first vice-presidents, say, for Hotnews, sources from the party who attended the meeting.
Right from the beginning of the meeting at Vila Lac, Marcel Ciolacu has announced his colleagues that he will resign as president. Then, some of those present took the floor to debate whether the party should enter the government or remain in the opposition and how the party can be strengthened after the failures of the last rows of elections.
The opinions are divided, according to the sources, but among those present at today's meeting there are more those who want to remain in the opposition, but to support from Parliament the reforms proposed by the future government.
As for the PSD leadership, one part wants all the current leadership to take a step back, while others believe that Ciolacu's resignation is sufficient.
Intermar President: Sorin Grindeanu or Daniel Băluță?
In the meeting he was also discussed about the interim management, about who will take over the party until autumn, when a congress will take place in which a president with full powers will be voted.
Two scenarios were discussed: to follow the status, according to which one of the first vice-presidents took over the boss. I mean Sorin Grindeanu or Daniel Băluță. Most likely, he will be Băluță, because he will be the candidate at the City Hall, says one of the sources.
However, the option was also discussed to be chosen someone from outside the management. A name was Bogdan Ivan, say the sources.
Gabriela Firea, disturbed by the “meeting before the meeting”
Another important discussion was that related to the direction of the party. Some of those who participated said they should go on the sovereign path, so that they could regain the electorate that passed on the gold side.
However, there were tensions, the sources report. Some of the leaders met earlier at Vila Lac, while the rest were invited at 6:00 pm. Gabriela Firea, now MEP, was dissatisfied with this difference, asked why there was a separate meeting and if decisions were already taken, without being debated with the rest.
On Tuesday, from 1:00 pm, another meeting will take place, this time in extended format, of the National Political Council. Then, the resignation of Marcel Ciolacu will be taken, the interim president will be established and who will be part of the team that will receive a negotiation mandate for the formation of a future coalition. There are leaders who claim that although there is a possibility not to enter the government, they should take part in negotiations.
