Two years before the presidential elections, PSD General Secretary Paul Stanescu started promoting candidates for the Cotrocen seat. “I would be very happy if there was a woman (ed. presidential candidate) from your ranks,” Stanescu said arm in arm with Gabriela Firea at a meeting of women social democrats.

“I would be very happy if it was your woman, because I have seen what men have done in the last 30 years, especially in the last two presidents. And I’m not afraid to say it, I think that a woman will bring much more balance to Romanian society (…) In politics, nothing is given, everything is taken. That you are a man, that you are a woman. Of course, men are more misogynistic, but we know that. But for this I have to defeat you,” said Paul Stanescu at the meeting of women social democrats.

The first PSD camp became official: Stănescu-Firea

It should be remembered the moment PSD General Secretary Paul Stanescu chose to make this statement: in the absence of President Marcel Çolaku and hand in hand with Gabriela Firea at the event of the Social Democratic Women.

The Secretary General’s statement kicks off competition in the party for the nomination of the future presidential candidate.

Within the PSD, Gabriela Firea’s intentions to run for mayor of the capital are well known, and from that position she would also target the Romanian presidency, given that local elections will be held before the presidential one in 2024.

Cholaku disapproves of Mrs. Firea’s ambitions

Social Democratic sources told HotNews.ro that Marcel Čolaku absolutely disapproves of Gabriela Firea’s possible presidential candidacy. Cholaku takes into account the fact that the possible success of this will change his place as PSD president.

At the official level, Marcel Cholaku has repeatedly stated that he has no desire to run for the presidential elections in 2024 and is ready to accept the candidacy of non-party people.

• Marcel Cholaku: “At the level of the PSD and the president of the PSD, these discussions did not begin (about the candidate of the party in the presidential elections – no). The only discussion we had was very clear: the future PSD candidate will be elected by every organization, every community councillor, municipal councillor, vice-mayor, mayor at electoral conferences across the country. We are completely changing the system of appointing a candidate for the post of President of Romania (…) From my point of view, I would also accept people from outside the party, so that the competition is as open as possible.”

However, unofficially, there is talk in the party that Marcel Cholaku is building his way to Kotrochen. More precisely, the inauguration of the Prime Minister and how he will manage the Government will be the decisive test of whether it is worth taking the presidential step or not.

What surnames of presidential candidates are tested by PSD

PSD is currently testing the trust of the electorate in the personalities of the party in the polls. Among those who passed the inspection at the head of the trust were the Minister of Health Alexandru Rafila and Marcel Çolaku. On the other hand, Gabriela Firea would also present a poll within the party that would position her as a visible leader with traction potential for the party.

According to HotNews.ro sources, the possibility of Mircea Joane’s candidacy was also analyzed at the management level, but the discussions did not progress.