The year 2025 started with a public tattoo. Marcel Ciolacu escaped again on TikTok and turned a statement given to reporters, in the position of prime minister, into a clip distributed on the Chinese social network announcing that „VAT will not increase”.
The only political leader less popular than the PSD chief is President Klaus Iohannis.
Both bear the burden of a major failure of Romania on two levels - political and economic.
The huge deficit that the prime minister is trying to "mock" on TikTok was caused by the Ciolacu Government, one that rapidly increased public spending, state hirings based on connections and party networks, expenses financed with loans at increasingly higher interest rates.
Marcel Ciolacu tried to become president, entering a labyrinth of compromises, arrangements, and machinations that directly and indirectly contributed to the destruction of the electoral process, which ultimately was blocked by a decision of the Constitutional Court.
The PSD leader pulled strings through Viorel Hrebenciuc, a close associate of the party, to support George Simion to reach the presidential final.
Moreover, judges proposed by the social democrats to the Constitutional Court removed extremist Diana Șoșoacă, allowing George Simion and Călin Georgescu to run, both with issues, behaviors, and law violations that could lead to their disqualification through the same procedure used by the Constitutional Court against Șoșoacă.
Victor Ponta aims to change the leadership of PSD
PSD leaders did everything in their power to push Marcel Ciolacu into the final, and the failure was grandiose and had major consequences for the party.
In my opinion, if the social-democratic president had not become prime minister, he would not have survived as party leader.
Victor Ponta, former PSD leader and presidential candidate, now a deputy again, has given increasingly strong public signals that he aims to change Marcel Ciolacu and form an alliance with AUR.
Ponta's strategy did not succeed precisely because the party leader managed to retain his position as head of the executive.
But in the current conditions, can a government that has recorded a major failure in managing public funds survive, and has now imposed austerity measures?
The answer is simple: it can, but only until the presidential elections.
Marcel Ciolacu is aware that he has lost all major political battles, and his career, naturally, is nearing its end - he has no chance to enter the presidential race, has little room for maneuver in terms of government leadership, and his tenure as PSD leader is secure only as long as he remains prime minister.
In his fragile situation, Ciolacu is an experienced politician and seems determined to play his hand to the end because, after all, a new situation that could favor him can arise at any time.
Rescue through ridicule
His strong entry into TikTok should also be viewed from such a perspective.
The effort evokes a touch of tenderness when you see the tiresome contortions of a rigid politician, lacking communication skills and the ability to capture public attention.
Marcel Ciolacu's ultimate goal is to become "cool" in order to divert the attention of as many people as possible from the Nordis scandal, from the fact that he does not tell the truth about his studies, and that he suffered a humiliating failure in both the first round of the presidential elections and the parliamentary ballot.
The PSD leader showcases his shoes, allows himself to be filmed while dressing, and presents documents defending himself against corruption allegations on TikTok in the hope that his message will reach a new, more understanding, forgiving audience that could save his career.
Ciolacu's strategy is a mix between that used by Donald Trump in the US campaign and that of Călin Georgescu, coordinated by shadowy figures, about whom the old and current prime minister could tell us something, but prefer to avoid the subject.
The problem for the PSD president is that he does not have the political strength and infrastructure of Donald Trump, built over time, and regarding the strategy of the Russian candidate, he also lacks the elements that can accelerate and disseminate a political message with such high efficiency in a short period of time.
Bets on Romania's future
Marcel Ciolacu acts contrary to public expectations.
In my opinion, he would have had more success if he promoted a more austere attitude, came with a more consistent discourse presenting himself as a leader who understands Romania's difficult situation and proposed solutions.
He would have also captured public attention more quickly if he had said he aimed to shed light on what happened, what led to the decision to annul the presidential elections.
But Ciolacu has no intention of providing any answers to the important questions people ask, turning political discourse into ridicule and presenting himself as a jester betting on Romania's future.