Is the Romanian governing coalition about to split?

The PSD-ALDE coalition gives signs of rupture, ahead of the presidential elections

Calin Popescu Tariceanu, the president of The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, which forms the governing coalition with the Social Democrat Party, has criticized Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă for not restructuring the Government, which in the opinion of the ALDE president, is a “powerless government”.

“There is no clear direction to be taken and to follow,” the ALDE leader said. The complaint of those in ALDE is due to be debated in a meeting this week, and at the beginning of September the governing bodies will be convened to decide whether to remain in government with the PSD. The only point on which the PSD and ALDE leaders understood was related to the amnesty and pardon bill. It was decided in coalition to reject the law during the extraordinary session.

The Social Democrats will continue to govern even if ALDE leaves

ALDE will convene the management structures to decide whether to leave the Government and to ally with the party led by Victor Ponta, Romania’s former prime minister, PRO Romania. The only problem for the current leadership of the Social Democrats is regarding the votes for the new Government’s investment in Parliament. However, they rely on the support of parliamentarians from other parties. ALDE currently has 19 votes in the Chamber of Deputies and 12 in the Senate. The majority in Parliament is 233 votes, and the PSD has 207 MPs. On the social-democratic side, almost 10 votes come from representatives of national minorities. Thus, the Social Democratic Party lacks 16 votes to govern alone.

Will Calin Popescu Tariceanu resign from the Senate?

Two months before the presidential election, the break-up of the ruling Coalition seems a possible scenario, being taken into consideration. The reason could be the fact that the Social Democrats refused to accept a common presidential candidate, which dissatisfied those in ALDE. The final discussion between Viorica Dăncilă and Călin Popescu Tariceanu is to take place in the coming days.

Alde and Pro Romania support former MEP Mircea Diaconu for the presidential elections

Former MEP Mircea Diaconu has discussed with both ALDE and Pro Romania, in order to support him in the presidential race. The actor announced on Sunday his intention to run as independent in the November presidential elections. Mircea Diaconu confirms the discussions with ALDE and Pro Romania, in the perspective of the presidential elections: “Yes, it seems that we had some discussions, that’s why I modified my program (…), They called me to discuss, that’s what I’m doing now, I’m going. What I said yesterday that I will not negotiate, the term remains so, I will not negotiate, because I have nothing to negotiate. If someone wants to support me, it’s okay, I’m happy and I want to see the terms of the support, but I don’t negotiate anything, because I have nothing to give.” Victor Ponta said he has a “moral obligation” to Mircea Diaconu, whom he asked to resign from the Ministry of Culture when Ponta was prime minister, because he was being investigated by ANI for conflict of interest, and recalled that time when Ponta was the president of this party and Mircea Diaconu applied as an independent to the European Parliament.

Conclusion

The governing coalition may break at the beginning of September, if the ALDE management structures will decide to leave Victoria Palace. Discussions will be held within the ruling Coalition to see if the two parties will agree on the future prospects.