Interim president of USR, Dominic Fritz, stated on Friday after the discussion at Cotroceni Palace regarding the future Government that it was a „productive” meeting, but there was no discussion about dividing roles.
At the meeting at Cotroceni Palace, the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, and the leaders of PSD, PNL, USR, and UDMR participated.
"It was a productive discussion (...) everyone is aware of the huge responsibility. We did not make any deals on roles, positions, or divisions, we focused on understanding the expectations of each partner and establishing a framework for future discussions," stated Dominic Fritz during a press conference.
He also mentioned that starting Monday, party specialists will organize discussions by domains so that "in a week we can see what the consensual measures are and where the differences of opinion lie."
In conclusion, Fritz expressed optimism because "he felt an openness" among participants even though he expects discussions with sparks to follow.
"There is no great appetite for a technocrat Prime Minister"
Moreover, Fritz stated that there is not a great appetite for a technocrat Prime Minister.
"It is evident that there is not a great appetite for a technocrat Prime Minister. I have already said that I, along with many colleagues from USR, consider that such a Prime Minister would be too weak for the tough measures needed. Currently, we are still in the scenario where everyone can put forward what they want, where we cannot exclude anything from the start.
But I come out of this meeting more optimistic. We discussed all the options. I do not want to speak for others now, what opinion each has about which option. What I can tell you is that we discussed openly the advantages and disadvantages of these options," said Dominic Fritz.
He rules out the possibility of rotating the position of the head of the Executive, because "it is not a healthy form of governance for Romania."
"President Nicușor Dan said in the campaign, in a very honest and fair way, that he wants Ilie Bolojan as Prime Minister, but he cannot promise or guarantee, precisely because he does not vote in Parliament for this government and this Prime Minister. I supported USR's position that Ilie Bolojan is the credible and authoritative Prime Minister we need and at least I did not leave this meeting with pessimism that such a Prime Minister would not be possible," Fritz concluded.
"The state is too bloated"
Dominic Fritz stated that USR firmly maintains its position regarding the formation of the future government. He emphasized that USR will not support a government that "shifts the entire burden of this crisis onto the private sector and the shoulders of those who work and produce added value in the economy."
"We need to start with expense reductions. The state is too bloated and needs to go on a diet," Fritz conveyed, adding that this will be the negotiating line assumed by the party.
According to him, by the end of next week, there could be a first idea regarding a possible consensus on reform measures.
"Certainly, detailing in each policy area, the measures, deadlines, and so on, will take more than a week, I expect. But I believe that by the end of next week, we will have a first idea if there is a core set of measures that we can jointly assume," stated the USR leader.