How Nicușor Dan sees Grindeanu's message, which conditioned the PNRR vote on Ilie Bolojan's departure: “It’s not a refusal, it’s a negotiation”

Bucharest Mayor Nicușor Dan believes that statements made by Sorin Grindeanu, leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), regarding the vote for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) laws should be interpreted as part of political negotiations rather than an outright refusal. Grindeanu had indicated that the PSD's vote could be contingent on the resignation of interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.

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I don't see Sorin Grindeanu's statements as a signal that PSD intends to block the laws necessary for fulfilling the PNRR milestones. In my opinion, the social democrat leader's position is part of political negotiations, which makes me confident that, in the end, PSD, on one hand, and PNL-USR, on the other, will reach an agreement on this matter.

Dan expressed confidence that the PNRR laws, crucial for Romania's recovery and resilience efforts, will ultimately be approved by Parliament. He views Grindeanu's remarks as a strategic move in political bargaining, a common practice in Romanian politics. Dan is optimistic that the PSD, on one side, and the National Liberal Party (PNL) and Save Romania Union (USR), on the other, will reach an agreement.

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I did not condition this at Cotroceni, but it seems to me a gesture of good faith, as long as we have a dismissed PNL president. Don't forget that PSD is in opposition, it is not PSD's duty to pass the laws promoted by the Government.

Grindeanu's initial statement, made after a meeting at Cotroceni Palace, suggested that while the PSD had not formally conditioned the vote at the palace, Bolojan's resignation would be a "gesture of good faith." He emphasized that the PSD, as an opposition party, is not obligated to pass laws proposed by the current government. Dan, however, leans towards seeing this as a negotiation tactic, highlighting his optimism based on past collaborations between parties on significant national projects like the European SAFE mechanism and Romania's accession to the OECD, even during periods of political tension.

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It is Mr. Grindeanu's way of saying that, one: he is not part of this government and, two: that he wants to negotiate on these packages of laws. I am optimistic that, following discussions and negotiations, which are the essence of politics, we will manage to pass the PNRR package.