The rector of the National School of Political and Administrative Studies (SNSPA), Remus Pricopie, commented, in a Facebook post, on the scandal in the USR, claiming that five members of this party decided „unstatutory” that Elena Lasconi „is not performing” and Nicuşor Dan is their new chosen one, and the Central Electoral Bureau is urging them to be „serious”.

„BEC’s message to politicians: „Be more serious!”. We have a new season of indignation. This time, USR – more precisely, some of those who speak on behalf of USR – are angry with BEC because they are not allowed to reap the „fruits of betrayal”. Five USR members have decided, non-statutory, that Elena Lasconi „is not performing”, and Nicusor Dan – „The Honest One” – is their new chosen one. Therefore, they concluded, all the party’s engines must be used to support the independent candidate Nicusor Dan. BEC draws their attention, however, that a political competition has rules, which apply to everyone, including the discontented in the party, and directing resources – of any kind – towards a candidate other than the one legally established by the USR congress is a violation of these rules. In other words, BEC is asking them „What happened to you?” to those in the USR and also sends them an exhortation „Try to be more serious!”,” Pricopie wrote on Facebook.

He also claimed that the „absurdity of the situation” is „obvious”, adding that Nicusor Dan has no real chance of entering the second round even with this „new support” from some in the USR.

„If he were to enter the second round, Nicusor Dan is the only candidate who, according to all simulations resulting from several sociological research, loses to the other candidates with chances of entering the second round, including a pro-Russian candidate,” Pricopie also claimed.

The SNSPA Rector mentioned that three questions arise.

„Why is all this effort being made to „push” Nicusor Dan into T2, even though the assessments show that this is the only scenario in which a pro-Russian candidate, portrayed as a „sovereignist”, could become the President of Romania? In the situation where the polls will indicate in two weeks’ time that the current hierarchy will be maintained (with Dan in 4th place), will Nicusor Dan keep his word, more precisely, will he withdraw in favor of that pro-European candidate who will thus have the chance to enter T2 and defeat the „sovereignist candidate”? If we accept the thesis of the „useful vote”, shouldn’t we be (more) interested in the scenarios for T2? Honesty is practiced, not claimed!,”Pricopie also wrote.

He stated that his message is „a simple, common sense analysis, based on information that is already present in the public space” and does not represent an exhortation to vote or not to vote for one of the candidates.

On Thursday, the USR Political Committee voted in favor of supporting Nicusor Dan in the presidential race. 225 votes were cast out of a total of 248. Of these, 168 were in favor of supporting Nicusor Dan (75%), 50 members voted against (22%), and 7 abstained (3%).

USR chairwoman Elena Lasconi considered the decision to represent „an abuse” and „a political execution hidden under a formalism” by the party and announced her intention to address the justice system.

On Saturday, the Central Electoral Bureau decided, upon the notification of the AUR, that USR representatives cannot campaign in favor of the independent presidential candidate, Nicusor Dan. The Save Romania Union announced, in a statement, that it will challenge the BEC’s decision in court.

AGERPRES