George Becali is not generally the most credible of sources. But in the case of the match-fixing in favor of Simion, what he says is corroborated by other information that has been circulating in the market for some time.
For example, the fact that behind the complaint against Soșoacă to the CCR, which was served to remove her from the game by the PSD majority in the Court, there is also a connection leading to Hrebenciuc.
Moreover, it aligns with an electoral logic, albeit somewhat schematic: if Soșoacă is taken out of the game, at least some of her supporters' votes could go to Simion, which could be enough to propel him to the final round. And there, in comparison, Ciolacu becomes the savior of the nation.
Why did Becali reveal the plan? Perhaps because something went wrong in the scheme and he felt a political sting, or simply because he is, as they say, loose-lipped. Or maybe because he received a better offer from the PNL, as the name of Rareș Bogdan was also mentioned by Becali.
The fact is that PSD, in the context of the CCR decision that directly affects them, does not have many arguments to counter the existence of the plan, the only one that would have guaranteed Marcel Ciolacu's victory in the elections.
However, from being a major asset, the plan becomes a significant burden through disclosure. Internally, this kind of maneuvering especially annoys the electorate that PSD is trying hard to keep demobilized, a task made easier by the unprecedentedly weak offering in these presidential elections.
Another major problem for Marcel Ciolacu is external. Since becoming the president of the PSD, he has been striving, largely successfully, to change the image of the PSD tarnished by Dragnea. The news that he is making deals with a party considered undesirable is devastating.
Propelling Simion to the second round means a huge electoral bonus for the pro-Russian sovereigntists after a week of parliamentary elections. Therefore, Ciolacu can be suspected of sacrificing Romania's political situation, implicitly that of the EU and NATO, on the brink of war, just to become president.
In these circumstances, is it even possible for the PSD to form a government coalition with AUR, as some anticipate? Yes, Marcel Ciolacu has repeatedly denied that such a thing is possible, but the plan to propel Simion raises questions about his sincerity, including regarding power sharing.
So, a total loss, so to speak.
That is why, at least theoretically, there is also the possibility that Gigi Becali detonated the bomb in favor of Nicolae Ciucă, whose potential electorate may overcome disappointment and mobilize. In fact, a stable final would also suit Ciolacu, especially because it would dispel the suspicions mentioned above. So, the plan might be even more complex than it seems at first glance.
What is certain is that, as I mentioned recently, politics is playing with fire around the gas tank because such plans can never be fully controlled. Already we see in polls a huge score for AUR and SOS, any empowerment can have uncontrollable effects. A national political powder keg.