- The Motion and the Team – The proposed leadership team by Ilie Bolojan is presented. The exemptions for seniority for Oana Gheorghiu and Dragoș Pîslaru are put to a vote. With one abstention, the congress approves the two exemptions.
- The New Statute, Adopted – The new statute of the PNL was adopted with a single abstention.
- Political Sources – There are high chances that PSD will not support Veștea, political sources declared for spotmedia.ro.
- Ciprian Ciucu, Applauded at Length – The Mayor of the Capital, Ciprian Ciucu, delivers a speech. He was strongly and lengthily applauded when he took the stage. He speaks in detail about what „the system” is: How did we get here? Should this congress have taken place sooner? Or is it a result of the system choosing to put pressure on the PNL. Because the PNL had found its soul and independence, and it was unacceptable for them. It needed to be brought into line. That’s why they chose to attack the PNL and not the PSD. For six months, the PNL has been under assault. Unfortunately, in our country, not all politicians, not all ministers, not all governments, and not all parties belong to themselves. What is the system? Hard to define, initially you don’t know if it exists or not, but if you are a free man, you have the chance to find out for yourself, in the most brutal way possible. The system doesn’t run for elections, although it participates. For the system, it doesn’t matter if it makes mistakes, because the population and politicians will pay, never the system. Politicians have a limited time in public positions, the system is eternal. They are more powerful because they have time and resources. Details HERE.
- Valeriu Stoica Speaks – He says he speaks first and foremost as a citizen of Romania, as this congress is important for Romania. A country cannot be built on lies, evasion of responsibility, and betrayal, Stoica further stated.
- Vasile Blaga Speaks – Vasile Blaga says that this congress was organized because, for some time, the PNL has been under siege, and at this moment it is a test: who the true liberal is present in the room today. „Nothing and no one can stop us from deciding our future, and some need to get their minds straight, because this party has tradition, it has history. (…) Some, when they lack arguments, bring up national interest, as if every day wasn’t about national interest. A strong, democratic Romania, today more than ever, cannot survive without a strong PNL. We will come out of this congress today stronger, stronger because, after many years, this party finally has a leader, Ilie Bolojan. And I know that thanks to the work and efforts, especially in recent days, this team will be able to lead,” added Vasile Blaga.
- Former PNL President Theodor Stolojan Speaks
- Ludovic Orban Speaks – Ludovic Orban began his speech by saying, „After 5 years, I return home. Even though today I am just a guest, I am convinced that you want me by your side, because I want to contribute modestly to what PNL can achieve with Ilie Bolojan and his team.” He apologized, with a trembling voice, for some harsh things he said in the last 5 years. He praised the gesture of Ciprian Ciucu – who made him a true statesman – for stepping back from the leadership proposed by Ilie Bolojan, due to the case opened at the DNA.
- Sources: Veștea Doesn’t Have the Votes Now – „The congress is just a formality. Everyone is waiting for the PSD decision at 4:00 p.m. Veștea doesn’t have the votes now,” a liberal source declared for spotmedia.ro.
- Message from Lorand Antal, UDMR Representative – The UDMR representative stated that the presence of UDMR here signifies normality and that courage is needed now, and the solution for stability lies in serious, constructive political partnerships and perhaps redefining a national project that does not remain just on paper, as has happened step by step with Romania.
- Message from USR by Vice President Radu Mihaiu – Radu Mihaiu conveyed a message of respect and friendship from USR, stating that USR and PNL have been on the correct side in the crisis we are currently going through, and together they can build the reformist pole that Romania needs to move forward.
- The Congress Has Begun – It is announced that 1793 delegates out of 2500 invited are present (71.7%). Among the absentees are: Brăila, Giurgiu, Călărași, Iași, Mureș, Ilfov. Ciprian Ciucu is seated right next to Ilie Bolojan.
- From Afar, Thuma Writes on Facebook – The leader of the anti-Bolojan faction, Hubert Thuma, writes on Facebook that „Today, at the congress, Ilie Bolojan is running for the leadership of PNL with a motion entitled ‘Modernization with Roots.’ The roots, in this case, are completely missing. Some of us have been saying it for months: the USR-ization of PNL is not just an accusation, it’s a process. Today that process gets an organizational chart.”
- Ilie Bolojan Has Arrived at the Congress.
- Vasile Blaga: Some Have Left PNL, Dust Has Settled – Asked, before entering the room to participate in the PNL Congress, about the boycott of some liberal colleagues, Vasile Blaga responded: „It’s their right if they do not wish to participate.” „Many have left PNL one by one. Mr. Tăriceanu left, who actually represented something in the party, made ALDE, and dust and powder settled. Mr. Orban also left. And?” Vasile Blaga stated. He believes that not many members will leave the organizations where the leaders have declared that they do not support Ilie Bolojan.
- Ludovic Orban Wants to Return to PNL – „I am glad that the PNL president invited me to the PNL Congress, after 5 years, for now as a guest,” stated Ludovic Orban. He said he is willing to return to PNL – „from my part, yes, categorically” – discussions have been held with Ilie Bolojan so far, negotiations for the return of the Right Force to PNL will take place after the congress. Orban also mentioned that the new line and strategy of PNL represent him and he believes that the Right Force can participate in the reconstruction of PNL.
- Gheorghe Falcă: PNL Is Ready for Opposition – Gheorghe Falcă, the PNL vice president and head of PNL Arad, stated that PNL is prepared to enter the opposition: „The opposition gives you the opportunity to modernize, to reopen, and together with partners, USR and UDMR, to be relevant in 2028.” He further mentioned that morally, Adrian Veștea has self-excluded and PNL will conduct a campaign to open the party, which practically began with the entry of Oana Gheorghiu and Dragoș Pîslaru into PNL.
- 11:00 – people start to gather at Romexpo, in the hall where the PNL Congress will take place.
Context
PNL Congress at Romexpo, Amid Political Crisis
At the congress being held at Romexpo, 2,500 delegates are expected to choose the new party leadership and vote on changes to the statute. The decision to convene the congress was made at the Extraordinary National Council with 566 votes in favor, 97 against, and 19 abstentions, representing 85% of the votes cast.
What Is Being Voted on at the Congress
The agenda includes the election of the PNL leadership and the modification of the party's statute.
The main proposed changes are:
- reducing the number of first vice-presidents from four to one;
- abolishing the Executive Bureau;
- transferring the duties of the Executive Bureau to the National Permanent Bureau;
- returning to the election of the leadership based on a motion;
- establishing a National Commission for Disputes, which will analyze disputes related to sanctions imposed on party members;
- clarifying the procedures for sanctioning PNL members.
Bolojan, Unopposed for PNL Leadership
Ilie Bolojan submitted his candidacy for the position of PNL president, along with the motion "Modernization with Roots" and the list of the leadership team. Until the deadline, this was the only candidacy submitted for the party leadership, so Bolojan is running unopposed.
Bolojan says that his motion aims to modernize the PNL, but also to preserve the values that have defined the party.
“I am running with the motion 'Modernization with Roots,' alongside a team that believes in the need for reform, professionalism, and accountability in politics. PNL needs modernization, but also the preservation of the values that have defined its identity over time. I believe in a more open, more credible, and more connected party to the expectations of Romanians,” Bolojan conveyed.
He also stated that his objective is "a united, strong, and respected PNL" and that, together with the new team, he undertakes to rebuild trust in the party.
Team proposed by Bolojan
The team proposed by Ilie Bolojan consists of:
- Dan Motreanu — first vice president;
- Robert Sighiartău — general secretary;
- Mircea Abrudean, Ioan Popa, Siegfried Mureșan, Oana Gheorghiu, Alexandru Muraru, Dragoș Pîslaru, Florin Roman, and Gabriela Horga — vice presidents.
Oana Gheorghiu and Dragoș Pîslaru joined the Bolojan team on Saturday, before submitting the candidacy on his list.
Dragoș Pîslaru said he joined the PNL to support major reforms, the modernization of the administration, and Romania's European path. Oana Gheorghiu conveyed that she accepted Bolojan's proposal for "the modernization of Romania, stopping waste, and eliminating privileges."
Ciucu no longer running for any position
Ciprian Ciucu, one of the current first vice presidents of the PNL and a supporter of Bolojan, announced that he will not run for any position in the new leadership.
He said he was proposed to run for the position of first vice president and had "broad support" within the party, but decided to withdraw after a case opened by the DNA against him.
“I do not want to put my colleagues in the position of having a first vice president under criminal investigation. PNL must have impeccable conduct to regain the trust of Romanians,” Ciucu conveyed.
Ciprian Ciucu has been placed under judicial control by the DNA for bribery in a case related to his time as mayor of Sector 6. Prosecutors claim he received undue benefits in the form of advertising services and electoral consultancy from businessmen involved in a real estate project.
Ciucu denies the accusations, stating that he did not take any money and did not condition the issuance of urban planning documents.
Conflict with Veștea
The congress takes place amidst the conflict caused by the appointment of Adrian Veștea by Nicușor Dan for the position of prime minister without consulting or informing the party. Veștea said he intended to inform his colleagues, but Nicușor Dan asked him to maintain confidentiality.
PNL asked Veștea to resign from the mandate, but he did not. Subsequently, the party announced that Adrian Veștea "is outside the National Liberal Party" because his appointment was made without the approval of the statutory bodies of the PNL.
Adrian Veștea had announced on Thursday that he intended to run for the leadership of the PNL and requested the congress to be postponed to June 28. Friday evening, he changed his mind and said he would no longer submit a motion, accusing the meeting of being "a democratic charade" and "an unconstitutional and illegal step."
He announced that he is considering legally contesting the congress.
Veștea's supporters filed an emergency suspension request with the Ilfov Tribunal for the decisions to convene the National Council and the Congress. They also filed a lawsuit against the PNL and the party's president, seeking moral damages of 250,000 lei for each claimant, totaling 4 million lei.
A possible decision regarding the exclusion of Adrian Veștea and other PNL members who might enter his government is not on the agenda of the congress. According to the liberals, such a decision would be made by the new National Standing Bureau, which will be elected on Sunday.
Veștea government still lacking sufficient votes
Veștea has the support of at least 16 liberals, including Cătălin Predoiu, who resigned on Wednesday from the position of first vice president of the PNL. Meanwhile, the inauguration of the Veștea Government remains uncertain.
The designated Prime Minister has completed the governance program, a 68-page document for the period 2026–2028, but the list of ministers has not been finalized and submitted to Parliament.
Veștea said the priorities of his cabinet will be the SAFE, PNRR, OECD programs, and strengthening national security. He also announced that he wants Alexandru Nazare to continue at Finance and published a photo with Luca Niculescu, presented as the "future Minister of Foreign Affairs."
PNL, USR, and UDMR have announced that they do not support the inauguration of the Veștea Government. AUR leaders have also stated that they do not support it, although the designated Prime Minister is trying to gather votes from this area. PSD is expected to announce on Sunday whether they will enter the government.
Adrian Veștea needs 233 votes for the government to be invested. At this point, he does not have this number.
Sunday, PSD also decides
Also on Sunday, PSD will meet in the National Political Council to decide whether or not to enter the Veștea Government.
PSD President, Sorin Grindeanu, said the party is analyzing the governance program and the decision will be made after internal debates.
“We need to discuss a lot about the governance program. And today I informed my colleagues that, in principle, I would like us to close all these internal debates on Sunday afternoon, have a National Political Council, and make the decision whether we enter or not the team or the government led by Adrian Veștea,” Grindeanu said.