Ciolos: We aim to prepare fast a gov't; we will appeal to the coalition partners - PNL,UDMR, minorities
Prime Minister-delegate Dacian Ciolos of the Save Romania Union (USR) said on Tuesday that his aim is fast preparing a government to handle crisis, for which he will reach out to the party's coalition partners - the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR), national minorities - mentioning that he had a telephone conversation with the leaders of these parties and that, most likely, a first meeting will take place on Wednesday.
"The aim is to fast prepare a government that works for Romanians and manages the crisis. For that, we will call on the coalition partners PNL, UDMR, minorities. I do not think that those parties would refuse the talks, because it would mean prolonging a crisis, including a health one. USR is not afraid to own the government, the serious social and sanitary situation; we also have a hard winter ahead. It is important to set up a government as soon as possible. We offer responsibility and we demand responsibility from our partners with whom we share a political vision - PNL, UDMR and minorities," said Ciolos.
He said that USR is trying to restore the coalition to its original form and expects that from the coalition parties as well.
Ciolos also said that he had a telephone conversation with PNL and UDMR and that, most likely, there will be a first meeting with them on Wednesday.
"I had a telephone conversation yesterday and today with both my PNL and my UDMR colleagues and the national minority lawmakers; most likely we will have a meeting tomorrow, because PNL's Political Bureau meets today. Tomorrow, after the government's sitting, we will set a first meeting and a first discussion in such format with the party leaders," said Ciolos.
He added that no other party has undertaken to go to the presidential negotiations with a mandate to form a government as soon as possible, a government with full powers to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, rising energy prices and the implementation of reforms under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
"I know that many times in Romanian politics such movements are seen as political games, traps or, in some cases, are played in a populist way. We have directly and very honestly taken up this responsibility, beyond some ideas and games that some parties may have. I think it is also a moment of truth in Romanian politics. We have reached a crisis point and in such situation politicians must take responsibility, not just make calculations in the interest of the parties they represent or just to stay in power. In that spirit, USR has made its proposal for prime minister and at this moment it is taking responsibility for forming a government," said Ciolos.
Ciolos also said that the USR negotiation team consists of Dan Barna, Anca Dragu, Catalin Drula, Vlad Voiculescu and Ionut Mosteanu, and the team working on a governing agenda includes Cristian Ghinea, Oana Toiu, Anca Dragu, Claudiu Nasui and Dragos Pislaru.