Political scientist Cristian Pîrvulescu says that by announcing his intention to run for the Presidency, Nicușor Dan „stole the lead,” putting the parties on the defensive.
According to the analyst, his candidacy is „formidable” because he is an independent, and if supported by the PNL, which has organizations in many rural areas, he has a chance to win the elections.
Romanians are inclined towards an independent at this moment, especially a well-known one, who has "a history of fighting against the party and the mafia" and who is "not entirely unfamiliar with politics," the political scientist affirms.
"Unlike other independents, what Mr. Nicușor Dan preferred was to take the lead, to announce his candidacy from the beginning, without any ambiguity. Thus, the parties must respond to this candidacy. Even though it's just an announcement, so there is no official candidacy yet. It is a political intention, and his intention is to hold political parties accountable to the citizens," stated political scientist Cristian Pîrvulescu to News.ro.
In his opinion, the idea of a single candidate is not a good one because it "legitimizes the far right, which enters the second round and has a platform, even if it doesn't win the presidential elections."
"It would seem normal to me, if they have understood the citizens' message exactly, for these political parties to have different candidates. PNL-USR one candidate, their capacity is to send him to the second round, together. We do the calculations and see that it is possible, PSD-allies another candidate, who does not have to be a party member, can be an independent, but more oriented towards social issues than the PNL-USR candidate, and finally a third candidacy from the far right.
This way, extreme right ideas can be countered in an electoral campaign. Otherwise, they will simply have the opportunity to develop and impose themselves," explained Pîrvulescu.
How Nicușor Left Lasconi in a Difficult Position
The analyst believes that the Mayor of the Capital has a formidable candidacy because, on the one hand, he put the parties on the defensive, and on the other hand, his candidacy cannot be ignored.
"USR is in the most difficult situation, because USR supported Nicușor Dan in the local elections, but now he has made a very tough offer to USR, that of being a candidate, leaving Elena Lasconi in a difficult position and practically canceling her candidacy," said the political analyst.
- Tense negotiations for the new government. Lasconi went to a meeting with party leaders: Lack of respect, they were shocked that a woman entered the room to tell them this
- Lasconi says that the promises announced by PSD, PNL, and UDMR have been made before in 2023 without being respected
Asked if, under these circumstances, Elena Lasconi might decide not to run for the presidential elections, Pîrvulescu said that, in his opinion, there will be a debate within USR.
"Certainly, Mrs. Lasconi has nearly 1.8 million votes in her favor, but, on the other hand, the discussion about the impossible votes of PSD for Elena Lasconi remains valid. She, as a single candidate for the entire opposition or at least part of it, cannot be. And USR was divided into three directions: one supporting Lasconi, one supporting Nicușor Dan, and a third supporting Bolojan.
When Nicușor Dan took the step of announcing his candidacy, he made the other two options only theoretical. He forces them to relate to him, and USR will have to solve the problem. Will it be a selfish party only interested in its voters, or, as they explained during the campaign, will they think about the higher interest of Romania and then form a coalition with the party closest ideologically to them, namely with the PNL," explained Pîrvulescu.
- Ghinea (USR): Nicușor Dan did not call Lasconi. It's very difficult to convince USR members
- What Bolojan says about supporting Nicușor Dan or Elena Lasconi in the presidential elections
- What Kelemen Hunor says about Nicușor Dan's announcement of candidacy for the presidency
The political scientist also says that PSD, also surprised, does not seem to want to support Dan's candidacy, so it will be forced to find a candidate who fits his profile but appeals to the PSD electorate.
At the same time, Pîrvulescu believes that Nicușor Dan does not seem compatible with the PSD electorate, but rather with the moderate electorate in the anti-system, ultra-conservative area.
Nicușor Dan's Strengths
The political scientist considers that if Nicușor Dan remains a candidate, he will be formidable because he is independent.
"Nicușor Dan has an advantage, he is independent, and a disadvantage, he is independent. In an electoral campaign, independence can help him, but if he becomes president, independence will become a handicap. Nicușor Dan, without a political party, will try to create his own political force, which will create some turmoil in Romanian political life.
Strengthened by the legitimacy of direct citizen election, he will probably succeed in rebuilding himself, taking back his party, so to speak. To take USR adapted to him and, why not, part of the PNL. That's why USR and PNL are hesitant now," Pîrvulescu believes.
- Nicușor Dan: The fact that we, as a state, have come to cancel elections was a failure of some institutions. It is not acceptable for Mr. Greblă to continue to lead AEP
- Nicușor for the peace of mind of PSD and PNL, in the USR turmoil
Asked if Nicușor Dan has a chance to win votes nationwide, Cristian Pîrvulescu replied that yes, provided he is supported by the PNL, which has organizations in many rural areas.
"Think that PNL is still the first party in Transylvania, has many mayors, so a candidate like this, for whom mayors can mobilize, can get votes. If he is not supported by the PNL and remains only with USR, the problem becomes complicated because USR, Mrs. Lasconi, will not support a Nicușor Dan candidacy if the PNL does not support it," said Pîrvulescu.