President of the Senate Mircea Abrudean on Tuesday said Romania now needs balance and stability, not ‘bitterness and annoyance,’ and that unlocking the activity of the governing coalition can only be achieved through dialogue.
Abrudean was asked what the PNL (National Liberal Party) will do given that the PSD (Social Democratic Party) leader announced he would no longer participate in coalition meetings until a certain package of government measures is completed.
‘I believe that it is possible to work on Package 2 with PSD at the table, and with the entire coalition at the table, as was agreed from the start. PNL is working on this package concerning the elimination of privileges. It is one of the essential measures that Prime Minister Bolojan has promoted since taking office, and it is included in the governing programme. So, I don’t see a problem here or any lack of alignment between the priorities of PSD and PNL, considering that PNL initiated the elimination of privileges and the reduction of state spending from the very beginning. I believe continued dialogue is needed, and PNL is certainly open to dialogue. Perhaps better communication within the coalition is necessary, and certainly these things can be adjusted over time. But above all, what is needed is balance and stability. That is what Romania needs, not bitterness and annoyance,’ Abrudean said at the Senate.
He pointed out that there is no alternative way to break the deadlock in coalition talks except through dialogue.
‘There can be discussions even outside the formal coalition setting, between coalition leaders, between Mr Bolojan and Mr Grindeanu, alongside the leaders of USR [Save Romania Union] and UDMR [Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania], even if they are not meeting in the official weekly coalition sessions, which are themselves essential and very important. This way, the formal framework can be resumed and progress made, because Romania needs solutions, not entrenched positions,’ he added.
Mircea Abrudean also pointed out that the coalition cannot be said to be ‘suspended,’ as it continues to function in Parliament.
AGERPRES
