Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced that he will appear in Parliament to provide the explanations requested by PSD and AUR regarding the partial withdrawal of American troops from Romania, but he says that defense and foreign policy issues „should not be turned into political squabbles.”
In an extensive interview granted to HotNews, the head of the Government called for calm, responsibility, and solidarity in a tense moment both externally and within the governing coalition.
Bolojan acknowledged that tough reforms and austerity measures sometimes make him "the bearer of bad news," but he maintains that "there is no other solution" to stabilize the country's finances. "When you deliver bad news, there is no rush to stand by your side," the Prime Minister said.
He emphasized that "a prime minister cannot constantly look at polls to gain half a point" and urged his colleagues in the PNL not to respond to political attacks within the coalition.
Bolojan also stated that, although reforms may have political costs, they are "necessary for Romania to have hope."
PSD's Invitation. "I will appear in Parliament"
Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced that he will appear in Parliament to provide the explanations requested by PSD and AUR, following the Pentagon's announcement regarding the withdrawal of a portion of American troops from Romania. The request came during the "Prime Minister's Hour," where the opposition and social democrats asked the Prime Minister to explain the implications of the decision on national security.
"Being called to Parliament is not a problem. Presence in Parliament is a matter of responsibility, respect," said Ilie Bolojan.
The head of the Government specified that issues related to defense, energy, and foreign policy "should not be brought into a debate that does not help us." "There are certain issues that, if we are responsible, we must take care not to introduce them into this area of political squabbling. The defense of the country concerns our partners as well," added the Prime Minister.
Bolojan confirmed that he received a new invitation and will go to the Legislative: "Next week, we will agree on a date together (...) yes, I will appear in Parliament."
- Grindeanu still awaits Bolojan in Parliament: He will come, it's just a matter of scheduling (Video)
Bogos Case. "Everyone is accountable for their actions"
The Prime Minister explained that he had no involvement in the case of Fănel Bogos, the businessman arrested for influence peddling, who ended up in his office at Victoria Palace through the PNL treasurer, Mihai Barbu.
"When you hold a public office, you constantly meet people. Everyone is accountable for their actions. Through internal mechanisms, when I saw that Mr. Barbu was placed under judicial control, I suspended him from all functions," specified Ilie Bolojan.
The meeting with Fănel Bogos, he claims, was "requested for political reasons." "A man who could run for office, besides that, nothing else was requested of me at this meeting. I didn't do anything. I was just presented with a person," pointed out Bolojan.
Asked if the DNA investigation could be related to a political rivalry between him and President Nicușor Dan, the Prime Minister categorically rejected this hypothesis. "I don't believe in such theories. Each institution does its job," said Bolojan.
He added that his relationship with the President of Romania is one of collaboration. "Throughout this period, I have had working meetings with the President, we have agreed and acted together to solve the problems of our country," said the Prime Minister.
Loneliness. "Yes, I bring bad news. But we have no other solution"
The Prime Minister also said that he does not base his decisions on electoral calculations. He emphasized that "a prime minister cannot constantly look at polls to gain half a point."
Asked if he is not afraid that citizens will tire of so many austerity measures, Bolojan recalled that when he was appointed Prime Minister, "no one rushed to be Prime Minister for three weeks."
"When you deliver bad news, there is no rush to stand by your side," the Prime Minister ironically pointed out.
He said that from the beginning, he has conveyed to coalition partners that "my order of priorities is the community first and then the party or my interest," and warned them that reforms will have political costs. "Yes, I bring bad news. But what can I do? We have no other solution. We must overcome difficulties to have hope," the Prime Minister stated.
ANRE Case. "I cannot be satisfied with pseudo-measures"
The Prime Minister criticized the superficial implementation of some reforms, citing the example of the ANRE case, where the head of the institution, George Niculescu, allegedly promised employees that their previously cut salaries would be restored. He told employees not to worry about the 30% salary cut starting January 1, 2025, as it would be reinstated in March.
"I cannot be satisfied with pseudo-measures. It is a form of respect for citizens. If we pretend to do certain things, people will realize it's a sham. We do these things because it is a necessity," said Bolojan.
He insisted that a good law "can be misused by people" and that the real problem "is not the parties, but the people." "When you tolerate situations around you that are out of place, it's a problem," the Prime Minister added.
Special Pensions. "Reforms and corrections are difficult"
About the progress of reforms, Bolojan admitted that the pace is slow and complicated by the political structure of the Government.
"Reforms and corrections are difficult. The existence of four parties is likely to complicate things. There can also be blockages if negotiations do not progress. I remain in this position as long as I can do something for the citizens," he said.
The Prime Minister specified that a quick decision is forthcoming regarding judges' pensions. "Next week, we must come up with a solution so that in a meeting with the judges, we can reach a conclusion. A conclusion within the coalition and then an institutional dialogue with the judges," the Prime Minister added.
- The Constitutional Court has published the reasoning behind rejecting the reform of judges' pensions
Collaboration with PSD. "We must rebuild trust"
Regarding collaboration with PSD and the future of the alliance, Ilie Bolojan said that governmental stability "is a necessary element."
"To regain the trust of citizens, we need to respect each other in politics, honor agreements, and deliver. You can't perform well in conditions of instability," the Prime Minister stated.
The Prime Minister said he urged his colleagues in the PNL not to respond to attacks from the coalition, recalling a tense period a few years ago, "when parties were in the government meeting in the morning and attacking each other on all television channels in the afternoon."
"Every time we discussed these issues in party meetings, I asked my colleagues not to respond, not to retaliate," said Bolojan, emphasizing that his priority remains responsible governance, not political reactions.
"The responsibility you have when you hold this position is primarily towards the citizens of the country. You have two ways to use your energy: either you do what is necessary for our country, or you constantly look at polls (...). I chose the first option," explained the Prime Minister.
PNL's Finances. "I cannot change what happened in the past"
Regarding the money given to the press and the transparency of party expenditures, Ilie Bolojan acknowledged that PNL "bears the consequences of what happened in previous years." "The party has significant debts. What was spent in the past, I can only respect the contractual conditions. During this period, what we will spend will be ensured in terms of transparency," he assured.
The Prime Minister stated that he supports amending the law to impose "clear delimitations related to total transparency and allocation by components, by models like in Germany, where there are clear limits."
Taking Responsibility. "When you are in public office, you cannot escape responsibility"
Ilie Bolojan admitted that he takes responsibility for the failures of the government.
"When you are in public office, you cannot escape your part of responsibility. When I accepted, I knew that the risk of failing was very high. What's important is to do what needs to be done, and I have the conscience that I did everything I could," the prime minister concluded.