PNL First Vice President Ciprian Ciucu believes that the list of ministers proposed by Prime Minister-designate Eugen Tomac is “stitched together with phosphorescent white thread” and appears to protect the interests of the PSD, according to Agerpres.

Ciucu, who is also the mayor of Bucharest, criticizes Tomac for failing to discuss matters openly during the meeting he had on Monday with the PNL leadership.

On the other hand, the Liberal leader claims that Tomac had “preliminary, secret, and unacknowledged meetings” with the PSD.

‘Why am I saying this? I can’t help but notice that the ministries taken over so far by the PSD reflect the PSD’s exact proposals: Mr. Istudor at Agriculture, Mr. Masala at Transportation… But the penny dropped when you told us about Mr. Ionaș at the Ministry of Development. There’s no way you can explain to me what decision-making process led you to Mr. Ionaș, other than that the PSD gave him to you. There’s no way! It seems like you’re protecting their interests and have secured the ministries they want for them,” the mayor wrote on Facebook.

Ciucu adds that the list presented by Tomac also includes members of the PNL “without high-ranking positions, but with a long history” in the party.

‘Without our support, they’re there on your initiative. I’m talking about the two ladies. And I told you back then what would happen: since the PSD has money and pays the media a lot, it will push the narrative that your government is the PNL and USR government. They will use two, three, or four names with a history in the PNL and will pin your government on us, without us being part of the process through which you were designated to form the government. Exactly the Cioloș scenario! The PSD will attack you, and we, being more reasonable, will not attack you,” the post also states.

At the same time, Ciucu refers to the scenario in which another “technical” prime minister will be nominated in place of Eugen Tomac, should the latter fail to secure the support of the parliamentary majority.

‘This shows me a clearly defined strategy, designed specifically to absolve the PSD of any responsibility. With all the respect I have for you, with all the admiration I have for Messrs. Papahagi, Burnete, Nicolescu… Please, have the decency not to take us for fools. The PSD has already made this mistake! Show us a modicum of respect and do not insult our intelligence. We share a certain history; out of respect, at the very least, perhaps you should have discussed this honestly with us. Tell us the limitations, the constraints—we know them too. But not like this, because that’s not how you earn trust. Trust is earned by telling the truth and discussing things openly. We warned you in advance that we wouldn’t accept red technocrats, so… you shouldn’t have,” the Liberal leader adds.