PNL MEP Daniel Buda is the new head of the Romanian Delegation within the European People’s Party (EPP) Group, after the liberals decided to replace Rareș Bogdan in this position.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the EPP Vice President, MEP Siegfried Mureșan, who specified that the change has already been formalized within the political group in the European Parliament.
"Starting today, MEP Daniel Buda is the new head of the Romanian Delegation within the EPP Group. I am convinced that Daniel Buda will lead our delegation very well. We will continue to work efficiently together within the EPP Group and the European Parliament," Mureșan conveyed.
In a subsequent post, he explained that the decision belonged to the PNL MEPs.
"The delegation of PNL MEPs within the EPP Group decided to replace Rareș Bogdan with Daniel Buda as the head of the Romanian delegation. Today we implemented this decision by notifying the EPP Group. Daniel Buda was welcomed this morning within the Group as the new head of the Romanian Delegation," Siegfried Mureșan stated.
The Romanian Delegation within the EPP Group consists of PNL and UDMR MEPs, with UDMR MEP Iuliu Winkler remaining co-chair of the delegation.
Rareș Bogdan: "It's not a decision made today"
PNL MEP Rareș Bogdan claims that his replacement from the position of head of the Romanian delegation within the EPP Group is not a decision made on Wednesday, but one that has been prepared for some time.
In a statement given to Antena3, the former delegation leader stated that the real reason for the change was the dissatisfaction of the PNL leadership with his participation in the meeting that President Nicușor Dan had two weeks ago with the leader of the EPP Group, Manfred Weber.
"I was in their way. They need minions. My presence at the meeting between the President of Romania and the leader of the largest political group in the EPP, Manfred Weber, two weeks ago bothered them a lot. They considered that I had no reason to accompany him to that meeting, although I accompanied all prime ministers or presidents in the last seven years," Rareș Bogdan stated.
He added that his replacement "is not a decision made today."
The change comes amid conflict within PNL
Rareș Bogdan's replacement takes place against the backdrop of tensions within PNL. The MEP was among critics of the party president, Ilie Bolojan, and supported Adrian Veștea in the dispute over the leadership of the party.
According to information previously provided by PNL, Rareș Bogdan is among the liberals for whom disciplinary procedures have been initiated, including the possibility of expulsion from the party.
However, the PNL leadership stated that these procedures can only be completed after the registration of the party's new Statute at the Court, based on which any sanctions would be applied.