Former Romanian PM Flooded Romanian Villages to Protect Belgrade

In a stunning revelation, former Romanian Prime Minister and current presidential candidate Victor Ponta has ignited controversy with a shocking admission. During a recent podcast interview, Ponta disclosed that he made a fateful decision in 2014 to deliberately flood Romanian villages along the Danube River, all to spare Belgrade, the Serbian capital, from catastrophic devastation.

This bombshell has sent shockwaves through Romania’s political landscape, raising profound questions about leadership ethics and national priorities.

The Hidden Decision

Ponta revealed that he ordered the opening of the critical Porțile de Fier (Iron Gates) dam, diverting floodwaters away from Belgrade and toward unsuspecting Romanian communities downstream. This drastic measure was taken after consulting emergency response teams, with assurances that affected residents would be evacuated and compensated. Among the flooded areas was Cetate, where renowned poet Mircea Dinescu owns property; Dinescu reportedly received compensation for the damages.

The aftermath of this decision led to Ponta being granted Serbian citizenship, a move that has long been shrouded in mystery. However, as he seeks the Romanian presidency, he intends to renounce this citizenship.

A Storm of Criticism

The revelation has unleashed a torrent of criticism from across the political spectrum. Nicușor Dan, mayor of Bucharest, has called for the immediate desecretization of documents related to Ponta’s decision-making during the 2014 floods. Dan has questioned the sincerity of Ponta’s “sovereignist” campaign slogan, “Romania First,” given his past actions favoring Serbia. Meanwhile, Marcel Ciolacu, leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), has urged Ponta to withdraw his presidential candidacy in light of the scandal.

Ponta has defended his decision as a necessary crisis measure, emphasizing that no Romanian lives were endangered. He maintains that Romania acted as a “good neighbor” by assisting Serbia during a time of need and promptly repairing material damages in affected areas. However, critics argue that prioritizing Serbian interests over Romanian communities undermines his credibility as a nationalist leader.

Rising in the Polls and Impact on Presidential Elections

Despite the controversy, Ponta remains a significant contender in the upcoming presidential elections. Recent polls have shown him as a strong candidate, although his support has varied. In some polls, he has been ranked second among sovereignist candidates, trailing behind George Simion, leader of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR). However, in more recent surveys, Ponta’s support has waned slightly, with him polling around 9%. This fluctuation highlights the volatile nature of Romania’s political landscape, where nationalist and far-right candidates are gaining traction.

This controversy adds another layer to Ponta’s already tumultuous political career, marked by previous corruption charges and misconduct allegations during his prime minister tenure. The scandal has reignited heated debates about leadership ethics and national priorities in Romania, casting a shadow over Ponta’s presidential ambitions.