The draft law that provides for the possibility for the head of state to run for legislative elections without giving up his mandate is not a priority either for the Government or for the social democrats, the PSD (Social Democratic Party) leader Marcel Ciolacu said on Monday, after attending the meeting of the National Standing Bureau (BPN) of the PSD.

„This law is not a priority neither for me, nor for the Government of Romania, nor for the Social Democratic Party,” said Ciolacu.

PSD and PNL (National Liberal Party) – he added – did not discuss this bill in April.

The social democratic leader said that Monday’s vote in the BPN represents a decision of his party.

„We are making a decision. If we had wanted to make certain stuttering statements in which we said ‘We leave the parliamentarians free according to their own will’ [we would have done that – editor’s comment] … But we do have a decision at this point”, said Marcel Ciolacu.

Asked about the similarity between the current legislative approach and another one initiated during the mandate of former president Ion Iliescu, Marcel Cioacu answered: „We have evolved as a society in the 20 years, and I think you already know my argument, including from inside the National Standing Bureau: so, there is a fact that there are still certain socio-professional categories that can only run for office if they resign, like magistrates, prefects”.

Moreover, the PSD leader argued that he does not agree with the extension of the Electoral Law or with any proposal that modifies its substance, because there is a recommendation of the Venice Commission that this should have been done at least one year before.

AGERPRES