The most complicated week for the current administration at Cotroceni Palace begins. Today, at 3:00 PM, the president has called for CSAT, where, in addition to SAFE, the withdrawal of American troops from Europe and issues related to army equipment, „other current topics in the field of national security” will be analyzed according to an official statement.
The political crisis is a „topic in the field of national security,” as is the „Pahonțu topic,” as well as the crisis in the intelligence system, where the main agencies either lack a civilian director, have a compromised one, or operate without any control from political decision-makers, as in the case of DGIA.
But these „topics” will most likely be discussed in a general manner, without consequences and without major changes. It would also be very difficult, with a fragmented parliament and in the absence of a majority that can implement a political program.
This week, Nicușor Dan aims to appoint a prime minister, hoping that this person will be supported by a majority of PSD, PNL, USR, and UDMR.
The president is not yet certain whether the person he appoints, whoever they may be, will pass the Parliament vote, whether the Social Democrats will agree to a government composition that does not exclusively serve the interests of local barons, and whether the PNL and USR will agree with the individuals nominated by the PSD for the new cabinet.
It is certain, however, that the president can no longer postpone an appointment, and likewise cannot avoid entering a period of preparing for new elections, in case the appointed prime minister fails to form a political majority.
There is a great danger that Romania will enter a strong turbulence zone due to the mistakes made by Nicușor Dan, his inability to create and lead a parliamentary majority.
Postponement
If the newly appointed prime minister does not receive the Parliament's vote, there is a possibility of witnessing the beginning of the president's suspension procedures.
George Simion, a Russian influence agent, is eagerly awaiting a new opportunity to further weaken Romania, amid the complex conditions and pressure exerted by the Kremlin on NATO countries.
In these days, various names are being circulated for the position of prime minister. Each political camp has a favorite, but until the announcement made by the head of state, the entire discussion remains in the realm of speculation.
Clearly, Nicușor Dan, following lengthy and exhausting negotiations, has a name in mind, but due to the continuous postponement of the decision, the only clear idea that emerges is the lack of a guarantee that the person he has in mind will be able to form a parliamentary majority.
In fact, the president has not received any promises from the four parties of the former coalition that they will support the appointed person. Probably, in discussions with the political formations, the name has changed continuously, then returned to one, and so on, a hodgepodge of explorations, messages, phone calls, and direct meetings.
Suspended
Such a convoluted process also indicates the lack of authority of the president, a need for decision and action of which he was not aware at the beginning of his mandate, behaving like a child at Disneyland, now being too late and difficult to regain the authority wasted in the first days and weeks after arriving at Cotroceni Palace.
It is clear to everyone that the governmental crisis cannot continue. There are signals that some formations are willing to assume certain compromises.
Very strange is that these are PNL, USR, and UDMR. From PSD, only "airplanes" come, meaning statements without coverage, promises, and propaganda.
If such a government is proposed, with a technocratic prime minister, with a clear governance program based on some principles, such as maintaining the fiscal trajectory we have, fulfilling the conditions given by the European Commission to reduce the deficit to 3%, things like that, to put on the table a serious government, we could discuss within the National Liberal Party to convince colleagues to vote for such a government...
Robert Sighiartău, PNL deputy
Based on his attitude, Sorin Grindeanu seems aware that exiting the crisis could also mean his removal from the head of the PSD if he fails to secure the position of prime minister.
His position is paradoxical, however. Sorin Grindeanu acknowledges that he does not have the votes to lead the government and makes compromises in front of AUR, hoping that they will support him in Parliament, but he is not sure of this support because Simion's extremists do not play by the rules.
Thus, he remains suspended between two shores, the current crisis being the only situation where he is certain to remain at the helm of the PSD.
Trap
Nicușor Dan hoped, even declared so when he asked the parties to come to him only when they have a majority, for others to solve the government issue in his place. But there was no one and, especially, no way.
It is extremely surprising how the president did not realize that his only political option and path to success lies in taking risks.
The fact that, in the context of winning the elections, he had to rely on those who chose him, on reformist political leaders, and go all out, even threatening suspension, for his political project, the one presented to voters during the electoral campaign.
This temptation to deceive voters is a cancer of Romanian politics and, unfortunately, is practiced by many leaders and parties.
This happens because society's reaction is often weak, as is the case with the PSD electorate.
Nicușor Dan fell into this trap, believing that his voters would support him under any conditions because he was validated at the polls. But the current president did not quite understand why he won the elections, why he was supported, and why he was preferred over Simion.
Certainly not because he had proven to be a charismatic leader, a great party leader, or a good mayor. And he threw away the very reason he reached Cotroceni Palace - the guarantee that Romania remains a state of law and that he will fight for it.