The Mayor of Buzău, Constantin Toma, stated on Wednesday that he no longer sees himself in the Social Democratic Party if Sorin Grindeanu is elected president at the autumn congress.
„I see myself in the PSD if they don’t kick me out. The issue is that, in the event that Mr. Sorin Grindeanu becomes president at the autumn congress, I hope it takes place, I no longer see myself in the PSD,” said the mayor in an interview for Agerpres.
Criticism towards the leadership
Toma justified his position by the disastrous results obtained by the PSD under the current leadership. "It's about what the current leadership has done and is doing, which is also the old leadership. Four consecutive lost elections, we are at 13% in polls, the worst result in history," he accused, adding that the party leaders "are no longer credible, neither among the Social Democrats, nor among the people who used to vote for the PSD," said the Mayor of Buzău.
The mayor ruled out the possibility of a voluntary resignation from the party but stated that he will not resist if he is expelled. "I won't give up, I won't leave on my own (...). If they kick me out, I will leave the party tomorrow, as it's not up to me," said Toma.
He emphasized that his mandate as mayor belongs to him based on the votes received from the people of Buzău: "If I were to leave, I would lose my mandate, which is not the case because the people of Buzău gave me this mandate based on the results of the work and the team I have formed around me, including members of the PSD."
Toma: "I could continue as an independent"
In the event of a split from the PSD, Constantin Toma considers continuing his political activity as an independent. "I think I could continue as an independent, I don't think it's a problem for me or for the people of Buzău," stated the mayor.
Toma stated that the potential election of Sorin Grindeanu as the party's leader would not change the internal power dynamics but would maintain Marcel Ciolacu's influence. "If Mr. Sorin Grindeanu wins, Marcel Ciolacu will still have influence in the PSD, whether good or bad, I don't know," said Toma.
He added that there are other valuable leaders in the party who should be more visibly involved in reforming the party. "There are many valuable colleagues, I have seen that Titus Corlățean and Robert Cazanciuc have started to be active (...), but they need to step up, to speak frankly," Toma pointed out.
Discontent related to results and money management
Constantin Toma emphasized that the discontent within the party is also fueled by the economic problems generated by the current leadership.
"People are dissatisfied in the PSD, dissatisfied with the poor results, including this 30 billion euro hole that the current PSD leadership has decided to borrow from," he said, warning about the economic risk: "Look at the situation we are in now, we have to save our country, not end up in a bad economic situation."