The Social Democratic Party will elect its new leadership on November 7, announced spokesperson Alexandru Rafila on Monday at the end of the National Political Committee meeting. On the same day, delegates will adopt a modification to the party’s statute, which removes the term „progressive” from the doctrinal definition, in favor of a formulation centered on traditional and national values.
„The main decision that was made is related to setting the date of the Congress on November 7. One day before, there will be a new National Political Committee to approve a series of modifications to the party’s statute,” stated Alexandru Rafila.
He specified that the new leadership team will include, in addition to the president, five first vice-presidents, eight regional vice-presidents, and twelve vice-presidents in specific areas of activity.
"I believe it is a balanced choice, everyone agreed, and I am glad that the main message that emerged from these debates was one of unity," emphasized Rafila.
"Doctrinal clarification": PSD abandons the term "progressive"
The PSD spokesperson explained that the changes in the statute represent "a doctrinal clarification," considering that the current text is over 25 years old. "We are a center-left party, we respect national values, Romanian traditional values, religious values, and I believe that removing this phrase of 'progressive' is natural because the term has acquired other connotations," said Rafila.
He added that each country and region has its own cultural specificities, and "the new definition better reflects the identity of today's PSD." "The term progressivism has a different connotation now than it did 25 years ago," Rafila pointed out.
Grindeanu: "PSD is a party of Romania, not of ideological experiments"
The interim president of the PSD, Sorin Grindeanu, confirmed the doctrinal change as well, stating that abandoning the label of "progressive party" marks a return to the traditional identity of the party.
"We gave up the idea of a progressive party because the definition adopted in the 2000s no longer has any connection to what it represents today," wrote Grindeanu on Facebook. "The new wording of the Statute reflects, without any ambiguity, what the PSD is and has always been: a party of Romania, not of imported progressive labels; a party of values and social responsibility, not of progressive labels."
New doctrinal definition
The proposed text for Article 8 of the PSD Statute specifies that the party is "modern, center-left, promoter of social equity and solidarity, attached to the democratic, national, religious, traditional, and cultural values of the Romanian people, with a pro-European orientation and a firm commitment to Euro-Atlantic cooperation."
The PSD reaffirms its membership in the Party of European Socialists and the Socialist International, "continuing the tradition of Romanian social democracy."
Grindeanu enters the race for the presidency of the PSD
The interim leader announced that he will run for the position of party president, relying on a message of unity. "I will run for the position of party president on a platform that focuses on the unity of PSD members. I want Romanians who voted for us to see that PSD is a modern party, but anchored in national values," stated Grindeanu.
He also said that this change "is not a matter of form, but brings clarity and commitment": "PSD is and remains the party of those who believe in work, in family, in faith, in solidarity, and in Romania."
Claudiu Manda runs for the position of PSD Secretary-General
Senator Claudiu Manda announced on Monday that he accepted the candidacy for the position of PSD Secretary-General, in the team led by Sorin Grindeanu.
In a message posted on social media, Manda stated that the decision comes "with an awareness of the responsibility it entails," emphasizing that politics must mean "people and results that are visible in their everyday lives." He stated that the party's reorganization is "teamwork" and mentioned that the Dolj branch of the PSD has consistently ranked first nationally in the last 12 years.
Manda further stated that the new leadership must regain the trust of Romanians and mobilize every sympathizer to vote, adding that "PSD governed well, with notable results, but sometimes lost due to tactical reasons, not governance."