The National Liberal Party (PNL) says that statements made by Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Sorin Grindeanu create a sense of instability and undermine Romania's credibility, calling on PSD to clarify whether it is in government or in opposition.
'PNL has taken note of Sorin Grindeanu's statements made in the G4Media interview, statements which contribute to a perception of instability and affect Romania's credibility. We are at a moment when we want to draft an honest budget, without privileges, one that offers the chance of economic recovery. We must maintain fiscal discipline and not undermine the sacrifice made by Romanians to reduce the budget deficit,' PNL said in a statement posted on the party's Facebook page, agerpres reports.
In PNL's view, this is an 'extremely important moment for Romanians and for the country, because only a properly drafted budget can guarantee the recovery' that is needed.
'Equally, Romania's stability and recovery depend on the honest implementation of reforms, on pursuing in good faith the objectives set out in the coalition protocol and on loyal cooperation among all political actors involved. We cannot afford duplicity, sabotage within the coalition or changes to political agreements halfway through. For these reasons, PNL asks President Grindeanu to decide whether he is in government or in opposition. PSD must urgently decide whether it wants to contribute to Romania's recovery or block reform efforts," the Liberals said.
PNL also stated that it will work on the budget proposal and expects PSD to urgently clarify its position before the next stage of discussions.
'PNL wants this coalition to ensure good governance and to fulfil the objectives undertaken both in the political agreement and in the programme on the basis of which it was invested. PNL will not yield to any political blackmail,' the statement added.
The Liberals reiterated that Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has PNL's support and that 'replacing him is non-negotiable'.
'We want to see the coalition agreement signed last year carried through to completion, in both letter and spirit. Should PSD seek to change this agreement, it must consider that PNL reserves the right to act accordingly, based on the principle that an agreement that is not respected means a loss of trust between partners and the disappearance of any guarantee that a new agreement would be honoured',' the National Liberal Party underlined.
PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu said on Wednesday in an interview with G4Media that he is considering a broader internal consultation within the party on whether Social Democrats still want Ilie Bolojan as prime minister and the Save Romania Union (USR) as a coalition partner.
'I have thought about proposing to my colleagues a consultation somewhat broader than the one we held last summer. (...) This time I would go a bit further. A yes/no question - taking into account all aspects related to the budget, the way the coalition functions and the pulse I sense very well from our mayors and local councillors - whether we keep this coalition in its current format, that is PSD, PNL, UDMR and USR together, or in a more limited format, without USR, for example. And whether we move forward with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, because the protocol could remain very simple - PSD, PNL, UDMR and another prime minister nominated by PNL,' Grindeanu said.
The PSD leader, who is also Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, added that he has recommended to coalition partners not to submit the 2026 budget to Parliament unless it has been agreed within the coalition.
'I recommended to my colleagues in the coalition not to send the budget to Parliament - and I am also Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies - I do not want the budget to be submitted without an agreement in the coalition. That would mean opening the door here to all sorts of amendments that might form ad-hoc majorities, various proposals, and I do not want us to drift in that direction. So either there is agreement within the coalition and the budget is sent and things move forward, or, if there is no agreement, I publicly announce that PSD will not vote for the budget,' Grindeanu said.
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