President Nicușor Dan avoided explicitly stating whether he still supports Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, citing his role as a mediator in the political crisis. The head of state described the situation within the coalition as deadlocked, with positions that are hard to reconcile.
„For months, I have been discussing with both sides, UDMR, USR, and I have noticed that the tension is increasing. We are at a point where there is a somewhat irreconcilable position between the two parties, and I have to be a mediator. (…) Romanians should trust that we are moving in the right direction,” the president said in an intervention on Digi FM.
Why he refuses a message of support for the prime minister
When directly asked if he still supports Ilie Bolojan, the president explained that such a stance would exceed the constitutional limits of the position.
"Mr. Bolojan is a very serious person, I have never said otherwise. On the other hand, at this moment, there is a political fracture between the two parts of a coalition that I would have liked to work very well, in this sense, I cannot take a stand. Even if I were to take a stand on activities, I would be taking a side of either of the two parties. Otherwise, of course, all respect for the Prime Minister," said the head of state.
He also emphasized that "a message of support" in the current context "is not constitutional."
"I am not in the constitutional position to act"
The president has ruled out any moves to change the government for now, including the option of a technocrat prime minister.
"At the moment, I am not in the constitutional position to act. What I can do is to dialogue with everyone, to try to settle different things in this way. For the moment, there is a prime minister. When, if it happens, the discussion about a new prime minister will come up, then we will discuss further. But up to this point, here we are," said Nicușor Dan.
Real tensions, but also "amplification in rhetorical terms"
After last week's consultations, the president maintains that the tone between parties has calmed down, even though divergences remain.
"Some of these tensions are absolutely objective, some are an amplification in rhetorical terms. I understand what the differences of opinion are, but let's not further inflame these objective tensions. It seems to me that since then, the level of rhetorical aggressiveness has decreased," said the head of state.
The president also rejected criticisms that he is getting closer to PSD, stating that perceptions differ depending on the side.
"If you look from the side of the PSD, I am sure I am seen as being on the other side," he said, adding: "It's hard to change after doing the same thing for 20 years. I believe I am doing what is necessary in the given situation."