Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan launched a harsh attack on PSD on Wednesday evening, accusing them of attempting to turn PNL into a „vassal party” and causing the current political deadlock through the censure motion voted together with AUR.
In an interview with B1 TV, the liberal leader warned that Romania can only function for „one, two, three” weeks with an interim government, as negotiations on the PNRR have entered a critical stage.
Bolojan explained that Romania is in a critical moment in its relationship with the European Commission because by the end of the month, all negotiations regarding the PNRR modification must be finalized.
He stated that authorities are trying to determine which projects can still be completed on time and which investments can be shifted from grants to loans to avoid losing European funds.
"We still have the possibility to move projects from non-reimbursable financing to the loan area," Bolojan said.
The interim government can function for "one, two, three" weeks
However, the interim Prime Minister warned that the current government formula cannot continue for long, as certain necessary measures may require ordinances or quick decisions that an interim Executive handles more difficultly. "But this can certainly last for one, two, three weeks," Bolojan said.
He explained that there is a risk that the legislative projects necessary to meet the milestones in the PNRR may not pass through Parliament or may be modified in a way that is not accepted by the European Commission.
"There is a risk that these projects may not be adopted or may be adopted in a form that the European Commission does not consider milestone fulfillment," declared the interim Prime Minister.
Bolojan accuses PSD and AUR of pushing Romania into a risky situation for the PNRR
Ilie Bolojan argued that the current situation was generated by the censure motion voted by PSD and AUR.
"If this government practically didn't work from morning till night and we did what PSD and AUR generated through the censure motion adopted two weeks ago, Romania would practically miss an important opportunity to realign its projects and close the PNRR," he said.
The interim Prime Minister insisted that ministers and technical teams continue to work on negotiations with Brussels, clarifying milestones, and expediting payments.
- PNL surpasses PSD, after a 5% increase in a month - INSCOP survey conducted after the censure motion
Bolojan: "PNL can no longer form a coalition with PSD"
Asked about the future governance formula, the liberal leader stated that PNL can no longer continue the coalition with PSD. "PNL can no longer form a coalition with PSD," Bolojan said, asserting that a broad parliamentary majority "is not formed to distribute positions."
He also countered criticisms made by PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu, who accused him of blocking the formation of the new government. "Bolojan is not an obstacle," said the interim Prime Minister.
At the same time, he argued that PSD has a "moral responsibility" to come up with a governmental solution, after managing to pass the censure motion together with AUR.
"PNL does not have a vassal party vocation"
Ilie Bolojan claimed that PSD did not only aim to overthrow the government through the censure motion but also to subordinate PNL. "One of the calculations made by the Social Democratic Party was a political-type calculation in which they wanted the National Liberal Party to be one of the subordinate parties," declared the liberal leader.
Bolojan admitted that this "has happened in certain periods," but stated that PNL "has learned from these mistakes." "People don't want to vote for clones. People want to vote for individuals they trust, who have character, certain opinions, certain values," affirmed the interim Prime Minister.
He argued that the liberals no longer accept a relationship of subordination to PSD. "PNL has no vocation as a vassal party," said Bolojan.
The liberal leader also launched a harsh attack on some PSD leaders. "Many people in the Social Democratic Party come from areas where they are used to small feuds. So they have a feudal mentality. They don't need partners. They need vassals," he declared.
"People feel deceived"
In the interview with B1 TV, Bolojan also spoke about the increasing lack of trust of the population in the political class and admitted that over time, expectations have been created that the state cannot sustain.
"When you promise things that you realistically cannot sustain in the long term, it's only a matter of time until you break your promises, until people are disappointed and rightfully feel deceived," stated the interim Prime Minister.
He also mentioned that the political instability in recent months has affected the functioning of the government apparatus and encouraged the promotion of populist measures without budgetary coverage.