Acting national leader of the Save Romania Union (USR) Dominic Fritz says that within a week it will emerge if the parties willing to be part of the governing coalition can agree on a „core” of common measures.
The clarifications were made after the USR leader participated on Friday in presidential consultations together with representatives of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR).
„I think that by the end of next week we will have a first idea on certain measures, if a consensus is possible. Surely the details of the measures and deadlines, in each policy area, will take more than a week. But I think that at the end of next week we will have a first idea, if there is a core of measures that we will be able to take together,” Fritz told a news conference at the party’s headquarters.
He added that USR will make the decision whether or not to enter the government when it sees the full package agreed on for the government.
„We will not be able to be part of a government that does not own important reforms for Romania or a government that shift all the burden of this crisis to the private sector and to the shoulders of those who work and produce added value in the economy. We have to see what the final package will be. We need to start with spending cuts. The state is too fat and has to go on a diet. That will be the line with which we attend these negotiations.”
Fritz called the talks at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace „open and productive” in which all participants were aware of their responsibility in order to form a stable government.
He added that no agreements on positions were concluded. The discussions focused on the „expectations” of each partner and the creation of a framework for negotiations on the governing agenda.
„It is clear, I think, for everyone that we need a government agenda agreed upon in detail, precisely not to postpone certain tensions and conflicts in this possible coalition in the future. It is not necessarily a natural coalition from an ideological, dogmatic, historical point of view. Especially USR and PSD were political opponents. and yet I felt – although neither PSD nor USR have yet taken a formal decision to enter this government – openness to listen and to probe measures and ideas that we can agree are important to Romania,” he said.
Starting on Monday, negotiating teams will be formed, made up of representatives of each party, to discuss the agenda of each ministry.
Discussions will take place during the following week to find out consensual measures and differences in vision.
„I don’t expect the process that starts on Monday to be an easy one. I think there will be times when sparks will come out. And I believe that the citizens of Romania deserve that everyone fights for their ideas. At the same time, I believe that today’s discussion has laid the foundations for a possible constructive collaboration. I come out of this meeting more optimistic than I was before. and I am glad that President Dan manages to put us all at the table and, calmly and responsibly, guide us through these difficult times,” said the USR leader.
AGERPRES
