The Right Force, the party led by Ludovic Orban, announced on Thursday, during a press conference, that they support Ciprian Ciucu in the race for the Mayor of the Capital, scheduled for December 7.
The decision comes after internal consultations and sociological analyses, stated the party leader.
"We had unanimous decisions, both in the Municipal Bureau, the Right Force, and in the National Political Bureau. I, Ludovic Orban, and my colleagues from the Right Force have decided to support Ciprian Ciucu in the highly important competition for the designation of the future general mayor of the Capital," said Orban.
He explained that the option is based on clear political and electoral criteria. "Ciprian Ciucu is the only candidate from the democratic center-right basin who has the chance to win the Mayor of the Capital and who can prevent the recapture of the Capital by the PSD octopus. We have conducted a very serious analysis, we have studied all sociological research – because we have also conducted an analysis and research – and things are very clear. Ciprian Ciucu is neck and neck with the PSD candidate, Daniel Băluță, and the only solution to prevent the PSD octopus is to concentrate the votes for Ciprian Ciucu," Orban added.
Ciprian Ciucu is running for the position of general mayor of Bucharest on behalf of the PNL.
Orban returns to PNL?
When asked if the decision to support Ciucu is related to discussions with the Prime Minister and PNL leader, Ilie Bolojan, Orban acknowledged the dialogue but denied a prior political agreement. "I have discussed with the President of the National Liberal Party, Ilie Bolojan. We have discussed several issues, but my support for Ciprian Ciucu is exactly due to the arguments that I presented publicly," he specified.
Regarding a possible return to PNL, Orban said: "We have discussed, it was agreed that we will continue the discussion. I can tell you that there is openness from both sides."
He also highlighted the difficulties assumed by Prime Minister Bolojan in the coalition negotiations. "The President of the National Liberal Party bears a heavy burden and that is to try in the given context to convince the coalition partners to adopt the measures without which Romania cannot move forward."
Orban's brief mandate at Cotroceni
Ludovic Orban was, for only a month, a presidential adviser to Nicușor Dan, being appointed on October 6 and released from office on November 18. The Presidential Administration then stated that the decision was made "amicably."
Orban later explained that the separation came "at the initiative of the president," following a critical statement regarding the use of Nicușor Dan's image in the USR campaign. "I do not regret this statement," he said, adding that the reason for dismissal seems to him "a trifle."