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Iohannis: Censure motion is obviously timely
President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday that a censure motion put forward by the opposition against the current government would be timely.
"It's obviously timely, how shouldn't it be? I believe that after the Social Democratic Party lost the elections to the European Parliament, the opposition is already putting down the final sentences of the censure motion, at least that's what I would do," Iohannis said at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
Asked about his opinion on the opposition parties' failing to reach common ground, the head of the state said that "this roughness will smooth off along the way."
Asked to comment on allegations that Premier Viorica Dancila and Senate President Calin Popescu-Tariceanu had negotiated for the latter to not be subjected to criminal prosecution, Iohannis said that he has no knowledge about such discussions or their content, but that "when it comes to the rule of law and observance of the rules" he is "totally against such political bartering," adding he hoped this did not happen.
The President was also asked if he will work better with new Chamber of Deputies Speaker Marcel Ciolacu.
"We are waiting to see how the new Speaker will act and what influence this new House Speaker will have on the lawmaking process," Iohannis replied.
A working group to look for solutions to the vote of Romanians abroad
President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday he will form a working group to look for solutions to the vote of Romanians abroad, specifying he will also have talks with Prime Minister Viorica Dancila.
"We have already begun some informal talks, and I am convinced that speedy solutions are to be found so as not to repeat this fiasco in the presidential elections this autumn," Iohannis said at Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
Asked whether he will have talks with Prime Minister Viorica Dancila on solutions such as the vote by correspondence, the president replied that there would be such meetings. "I will have such discussions and I am convinced that we will find solutions," he said.
"This catastrophe was organized by the PSD [The Social Democratic Party, major at rule, ed.n.] Government, they just have to evaluate, they can do what they want, but the Government is the one to carry the political blame. There is no point in looking elsewhere, that a doorkeeper at an embassy did not get along with a voter. It is obvious that the Foreign Affairs and the Interior ministers are the guilty ones, and I, therefore, requested their removal from office. (...) The two have been on television to say they are not resigning, I do not even care, I have asked for their dismissal as well as for a political sanction," the president said.
Asked what Prime Minister Viorica Dancila told him about the two ministers, Iohannis said that she conveyed to him that "she has still got to judge the matter."