Dismissed Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan published a comprehensive message addressed to the Liberals on Thursday, in which he talks about the rift between the PNL and PSD and asserts that the party „has regained its self-respect” after the decision to step down from government and go into Opposition.
In a post published on Facebook, the liberal leader says he has experienced „good and bad” in the over 30 years spent in the PNL and recalls two key moments from the party’s recent history: the alliance with PSD in 2021 and the vote two days ago, through which the liberal leadership decided not to form any coalitions with PSD.
Ilie Bolojan states that in the 2021 PNL leadership meeting, where the alliance with PSD under Florin Cîțu's leadership was voted on, the decision had already been made "in other offices." "Few raise their hands, embarrassed. Votes are not counted," Bolojan writes about the moment of the vote for the coalition with PSD.
He argues that the alliance led to the loss of the party's identity and that the effects were seen at the end of 2024, in the election results. "The waters were mixed and troubled. What followed and where these decisions led us at the end of 2024 is known. We narrowly escaped...," Bolojan states.
"We separated the waters. They have cleared."
He compares that episode with this week's PNL leadership meeting, where the Liberals decided not to continue collaborating with PSD.
Bolojan, who is serving as interim Prime Minister until a new Executive is formed, says he officially proposed exiting the coalition and going into Opposition after PSD "plunged the country into crisis."
"After a debate with replies and arguments, who is in favor? 50 colleagues raise their hands. I saw in the eyes of many the regained dignity. Who is against? No raised hands," recounted the liberal leader.
He states that unlike the moment in 2021, the decision was made "in the PNL leadership office, not in other offices."
"With this decision, the PNL has regained what no position or poll can buy: self-respect," Bolojan wrote.
Message to the Liberals: "PNL never abandons its country"
In the conclusion of the message, Ilie Bolojan says that a "difficult period" lies ahead, but maintains that the party has chosen the "right path."
"A party that can make mistakes but never abandons its country. A party that does not shy away from responsibility," the dismissed Prime Minister asserts.
He concludes by stating that the PNL must remain "on the side of Romania," "with seriousness, decency, and respect for work, freedom, and the dignity of the people."
The extended leadership of the PNL voted on Tuesday for the party to go into Opposition following the fall of the Bolojan Government through a vote of no confidence. The Liberals then adopted a resolution excluding a new alliance with PSD and called on the Social Democrats to take over governance alongside the extremist parties that supported the motion.