Former presidential candidate, Elena Lasconi, stated on Tuesday that she will go to vote on Sunday, May 18, and will express her electoral preference in favor of Romania’s European direction.
In a Facebook post, Lasconi clearly suggested her support for Nicușor Dan, without directly naming him.
"I'm sure you are intelligent"
Lasconi explained that she will vote "hoping that Romania will remain on the European path" and rejected the idea of abstention: "Not voting or invalidating the ballot does not give me the legitimacy to have a say in how the country is governed."
The former USR leader emphasized that she will not directly name the chosen candidate to avoid censorship: "I will not give their names, so this post does not disappear from here, but I know you are intelligent."
Clear allusion to George Simion
Lasconi critically described one of the candidates, clearly referring to George Simion.
"One of the candidates was a parliamentarian for almost five years and did nothing for the country. Before his parliamentary life, he was not particularly hardworking. Moreover, he is banned from entering two neighboring countries. He is a professional opportunist. He attached himself to the image of a former candidate for vote transfer and succeeded," Lasconi wrote on Facebook.
Nicușor Dan identified as the "mayor of deeds"
The contrast is drawn in favor of the other candidate - almost certainly Nicușor Dan - whom Lasconi praises for his civic and administrative activity: "He has been active in civil society and as mayor, he has delivered deeds. Some controversial, others beneficial for the community."
In conclusion, she urges her supporters to go out and vote and choose "for our present and future, for our children's future."
And she concludes: "Romania can only change for the better through love, forgiveness, tolerance, and not through hatred and division. God bless Romania!"
Lasconi, modest result
In the presidential elections on May 5, Elena Lasconi, the candidate abandoned by USR, only received 2.68% of the votes, ranking below Victor Ponta (13.05%) and much behind Crin Antonescu (20.07%), who missed the second round.
The presidential final will pit George Simion (40.96%) against Nicușor Dan (20.99%).