Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu made new clarifications about the project that would allow President Klaus Iohannis to run for parliamentary elections as an independent candidate on party lists, stating that he has never had discussions with Iohannis on this subject.
„I have not had discussions with the President of Romania on this subject. There was a political discussion, where the discussion was limited to the fact that it is a law that concerns a single person. Even if we refer to the same text from 20 years ago, because 20 years ago the elections for the position of president are held concurrently with the parliamentary elections.
So, this matter should be clarified in the future, but there are also other individuals who cannot participate. In order for them to participate, they must resign, except for those who have been convicted and have a ruling to that effect. This would be an injustice, judges are in the same situation, prefects are in the same situation, and many other examples," stated the PM on Thursday at Hotnews.
Additionally, Ciolacu mentioned that in April Klaus Iohannis wanted to obtain positions at NATO or the European Commission, so his candidacy in the parliamentary elections was not under discussion at that time.
"There cannot be a discussion about a legislative change, and I assume that those who brought up the idea of April did so to avoid being criticized for it being a year or six months in advance. They anticipated certain things. In my opinion, they anticipated wrongly, because at that time, Mr. President Iohannis wanted to be at NATO or the European Commission.
So, this matter was not under discussion. I believe that sometimes we need to be political men and admit when we wanted something that turned out to be wrong or not right, it was commented on by society, we should take responsibility. And I like to think that here I also make a difference from the other candidates, as I take responsibility for my actions," stated Marcel Ciolacu.
Ironies regarding the portfolio of European Commissioner
Marcel Ciolacu responded ironically to President Klaus Iohannis' criticisms regarding the negotiation of the European Commissioner portfolio.
"He is more sensitive. I didn't get upset when we sold Transylvania, I didn't get upset when he came out every day and said PeSeDe (PSD - his party). I focused on my work and tried to present arguments to Romanians that things are not like that.
He did not meet my expectations as President of Romania and I say this without any hesitation, even if I upset him again," stated Ciolacu.
"I was also bothered by yesterday's president's remark about Ciolacu's negotiations with the economy. I apologize to the President. I am a better negotiator than him. I started negotiations with the President of the Commission and negotiations are not only done under the table or at the table. Negotiations also happen through the messages you convey in the public space. I am a social democrat.
Romania's biggest challenges are in the social-democratic area. A portfolio on labor, housing, education, Romania has problems in dual education, it has not been implemented. That portfolio has many components that reflect the real life of Romanians today, with pensions, salaries, with the reforms we need to make," declared Marcel Ciolacu.
He also explained why this negotiation was successful.
"If I managed to secure the portfolio I had targeted from the beginning and also a position as one of the three executive vice-presidents for Romania, not for Ciolacu, of course, I said that I had a successful negotiation. But then comes the President of Romania, who represents Romania in the European Council, who should have been the spearhead of negotiations for Romanians...
President Klaus Iohannis stated on Wednesday that Marcel Ciolacu, as Prime Minister, must provide explanations regarding the European Commissioner portfolio obtained by Romania.
The head of state recalled that the Prime Minister "told us all that he would obtain an economic portfolio and obtained a social portfolio that still needs clarification regarding its contents."