The Social Democrats broadcast on all channels that in the government ring it is not possible to “change the players who perform.” After President Marcel Čolaka, the Secretary General of the PSD claims that a change of prime minister does not require a change of portfolios.

Stanescu claims that the only point in the protocol that cannot be discussed is the replacement of Prime Minister Nicolae Cuke with PSD President Marcel Çolaka, which will take place in May.

“Returning to the present, the discussions about maintaining or renegotiating the leadership of ministries in the framework of rotation of management should take place for a very simple reason: we want to manage effectively. In this sense, there is also a principle in sports: do not change the players who perform. We do not need the episodes of political chaos that existed before the SDP came to power. Any exchange of ministries must result in a formula that will continue to ensure good governance. If we believe that it is beneficial for PSD and PNL to leave certain ministries, then we will decide by consensus as coalition partners. No one should give up the effectiveness of the government for personal or political interests,” says PSD Secretary General.

What does the PSD-PNL-UDMR political agreement contain

According to the political agreement signed in 2021 during the formation of the Coalition, the PSD-PNL-UDMR should replace the government and the ministries of exchange and the prime minister on May 25, 2023. More precisely, the protocol provides that the first candidate for the post of Prime Minister, Minister Nikolae Chuke, will have a mandate until May 25, 2023, and the second candidate from the PSD – until the 2024 general elections.

In addition to the rotation of prime ministers, PSD and PNL and UDMR will also exchange ministries. The political agreement signed in the Coalition concerns four ministries: transport, investment and European projects, justice and finance (the last two key ministries, as they approve all projects that go through the Government).

Apart from the agreements and official documents, the intentions are different at the political level. The Social Democrats have given public signals that they want to keep some portfolios. PSD president Marcel Čolaku has recently repeatedly stated that the ministries of transport and European funds should not play in 2023.

PSD wants to preserve transport and finances

PSD President Marcel Ciolacu recently said on a show on Romanian television that he thought it would be a mistake to change the minister of European funds during the rotation in May, and that the justice and transport officials had a good mandate. In this context, Çolaku spoke about “Grindyan’s performance in Transporturi”, which cannot be contested by “even the biggest enemy”.

“If we find a better formula within the coalition, we will come up with this formula. If not, we will follow the protocol (…) In my opinion, it is a mistake to change Bolosh (Minister of European Funds Marcel Bolosh) now (…) There is also a show in the Ministry of Justice, we liquidated the MCV,” Ciolacu said on Romanian air TV.

Sources from the PSD explained to HotNews.ro that “besides his friendship with Grindianu, Çolaku is directly interested in being part of the future government and not being too involved in decisions in the PSD. For the political perspective that he is preparing, Cholaku does not need internal opponents to join forces, but for them to worry each in their own corridor”, PSD sources claim.

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At the same time, the calculations of the PSD leader are aimed at preserving the portfolio of finance, because, according to the cited sources, “without access to money means a lack of power, Marcel Çolaku would risk having a weak mandate, being prime minister without having the necessary control over by local leaders in the preparation of elections”.

Čolaku also said in a recent interview that he really wants Mihai Tudose to enter the government on a rotating basis and that “from the discussions we’ve had, Tudose wants it.”

On the other hand, some PNL leaders in the party leadership rule out any negotiations with the PSD regarding the finance and transport portfolios. “The discussion will begin with compliance with the agreement. Transfer of finance or transport is excluded. Two portfolios are non-negotiable and belong to PNL. Any surrender of these two ministries will lead to a rebellion within the NLP. Local leaders, mayors would be very unhappy,” the PNL leader told HotNews.ro.