Former Prime Minister Dačian Čološ may open the REPER list for the European Parliament elections in June, according to News.ro political sources.

Dacian Cholos’s intention to run for the European Parliament has created tension between the current co-presidents of the party, Ramona Strugariu, and Dragos Pislaru, whose bet was second place on the list to Brussels.

If the RAPPER had overcome the electoral barrier, the party would have sent two deputies to Brussels. Both Ramona Strugariu and Dragos Pislaru want a second position in the European Parliament, a position that will become acceptable.

At the moment, the favorite is Ramona Strugariu due to the gender quota. The decision should be announced in early March based on the poll.

REPER was created by Dacian Cholos in 2022 after his resignation as USR president.

“Dacian Cholos announced in the party his intention to run for the European Parliament. Cholosh’s presence at the top of the list is the only chance for REPER to overcome the electoral barrier. We have commissioned a public opinion poll in which we evaluate Cholos as well as other names outside the party who could help us achieve the best result in the European Parliament elections. If the RAPPER does not pass the barrier to the European Parliament, the party disappears. But Cholos’ decision to run for the European Parliament has created tension between Ramona Strugariu and Dragos Pislaru over the respective post for Brussels. In fact, both of them would fight for the corresponding place,” REPER management sources told News.ro.

“We have a gender quota in the party statute, so either Ramona Strugariu will take second place or we change the statute. Dragos Pislaru would get the third place, but it is hard to believe that the party will reach 9% for Pislaru to get a seat in Brussels,” the cited sources claim.

Dacian Ciolos’s intention to run for the European Parliament surprised party co-presidents Dragos Pislara and Ramona Strugaria, who expected Ciolos to run for the presidency, and they would open a list for the European Parliament.

“This is a conflict of pride between the two co-presidents. Under their leadership, the party is 1-2%, so none of them would have a chance to get into the European Parliament. With Cholos at the head of the list, we would hope for 5%, although even then we would not be sure that we would cross the electoral barrier. However, Cholos could still drag someone to the European Parliament. From zero to two mandates is a big difference,” the cited sources conclude.

The survey commissioned by RAPER will be ready at the beginning of March. Based on the research, the party will restore order in the elections to the European Parliament. Former politicians who passed through the UDR, but had not yet registered in the party founded by Dacian Cholos, could also run for office in the REPER list. (News.ro)