The President of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Nicolae Ciucă, stated that he is currently in an „operational pause” with Marcel Ciolacu, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
„When a limit is exceeded in the agreements between two people, I am not talking about political agreements, and this issue keeps recurring, it is good, at some point, to take an operational pause. We are in an operational pause (with Marcel Ciolacu – editor’s note),” declared Nicolae Ciucă on Wednesday evening on Romania TV.
Ciucă stated that he will never speak badly about Marcel Ciolacu, even if occasionally a dart is thrown.
"I appreciate the fact that he said we had a very good governance, which is evident from the figures and what happened at that time (...) I have not spoken badly about Marcel Ciolacu, and I will not speak badly about Marcel Ciolacu because... if we keep throwing darts, more will be thrown," Ciucă stated.
When asked if he would nominate Marcel Ciolacu for the position of prime minister if he were to become president, Ciucă responded negatively.
"After seeing the results of the parliamentary elections, we will discuss. Until then, I prefer not to make any scenarios (...) I prefer a right-wing coalition, at the moment I would not nominate Marcel Ciolacu (...) I will make the best decision for the Romanian people, not for a party or a politician," Ciucă affirmed.
Nicolae Ciucă also stated that "there is no need" to nominate the current President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, for the position of prime minister.
Would not return to the position of prime minister
On the other hand, Marcel Ciolacu stated that he would nominate Ciucă for the position of prime minister if he were to win the presidential elections. But the President of the National Liberal Party says he would not return to the Victoria Palace.
"I tell you that I have never returned to a position I have held. I am not a person who desires positions. In my professional career, I have held positions that I never thought I would occupy," stated Nicolae Ciucă on Wednesday evening on Romania TV.
When asked why he would not return to the position of prime minister, the leader of the National Liberal Party stated: "Because it is a matter of principle, and I have respected my principles."
When reminded that he had stated in the past that he would not enter politics and did so, Ciucă explained what happened: "I admit that all this happened before I had that episode with Liviu Dragnea when I was suspended. Politics did not tempt me, and when that change of government occurred, I was at the end of my term, I was asked by the country's president if I wanted to continue serving my country as Minister of Defense, without being a political appointee at that time, and I said yes. I can say that yes, I violated that principle."
"I have no problem admitting when I make mistakes," Ciucă added.