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Deputy Nicusor Dan announced on Thursday at the Palace of Parliament that he is not just stepping down as Chairman of the Save Romania Union (USR), but that he also resigns from the party, citing as one of the reasons the decision of the formation's National Bureau against the redefinition of the family in the Constitution.
"There are three major reasons for which I am doing this. One is my firm belief that the worst thing that can happen in Romania now is that the main debate is not about who steals or not, but about who defends traditions and who doesn't. This way, we'll end up with people who have been milking the country doing so in the next 20 years too under the pretense that they defend traditions, and this is a huge danger for Romania. The second reason is that I feel I have a duty to the people who voted for us. The family theme is highly important for each of them, it is an intimate subject that has to do with identity, with the religious sentiment, even if it is important to them as individuals, even if it is not important to society now and because USR was voted by people from both sides - supporters and non-supporters of this referendum - it is my firm conviction that USR should reach out to both sides," Nicusor Dan told a press conference.
The third reason he gave for his resignation from the Union is related to honor, as he cited his constant promise that there would be room for everyone in the party - conservatives and progressives - and that none of the party's decisions will run counter to their intimate, important, identity-shaping feelings. The National Bureau's decision now is tantamount to saying that some of our colleagues' intimate beliefs in an important matter for them are in contradiction with the direction the party is headed for. And for this reason I admit having made a promise that I could not keep, it's a matter of honor that prompts my resignation today from USR, explained Nicusor Dan.
He added that he remains "available" for Romanian politics but for USR too, if a party structure higher than the Political Bureau reconsiders Wednesday's decision regarding the redefinition of the family.
Nicusor Dan said that he is still contemplating whether to also resign from Parliament or not.
