PNL holds technical meeting ahead of congress; Bolojan to seek re-election, Veștea opts out

The National Liberal Party (PNL) is convening a technical meeting on Saturday at Romexpo, in preparation for its Extraordinary Congress scheduled for Sunday. This congress will also see modifications to the party's statutes. The deadline for submitting candidacy motions is Saturday at 5:00 PM.

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I have confidence in our party members. I believe they want a strong, credible, and respected PNL, so that when they meet their friends or colleagues, they are not ashamed to be members of a political party like PNL. By tomorrow afternoon, I will submit my candidacy, along with the team with whom I will move forward. PNL must establish its leadership and the direction it will follow in the coming period. We will remain consistent with our principles and build a team capable of ensuring unity of action to represent citizens who want a modern Romania.

PNL President Ilie Bolojan announced on Friday that he will submit his candidacy for party leadership, alongside his team. He emphasized the need for the PNL to establish clear leadership and direction, aiming to build a strong, credible, and respected party. "I have confidence in our party members. I believe they want a strong, credible, and respected PNL, so that when they meet their friends or colleagues, they are not ashamed to be members of a political party like PNL," Bolojan stated.

However, the party faces internal division. Deputy Ionel Bogdan acknowledged that Adrian Veștea, a long-time member and first vice-president, could still submit a candidacy if he chooses. "Mr. Adrian Veștea, who has been a member of the National Liberal Party for 30 years, is also the first vice-president of the National Liberal Party. I believe he is well-known enough in the party that if he registers his motion by tomorrow at 5 PM, within the deadline set by the National Council, he can convince enough colleagues to enter this internal competition," Bogdan said.

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Mr. Adrian Veștea, who has been a member of the National Liberal Party for 30 years, is also the first vice-president of the National Liberal Party. I believe he is well-known enough in the party that if he registers his motion by tomorrow at 5 PM, within the deadline set by the National Council, he can convince enough colleagues to enter this internal competition. So, we do not see a problem in having competitors, especially well-known ones like him.

Veștea, however, has declared his opposition to the congress timeline. He described the refusal to postpone the congress by a week as "profoundly abnormal" and stated he would not endorse a "democratic sham" that installs dictatorship within the party. He indicated he is considering all statutory and legal challenges to the process.

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I will not endorse through a candidacy this democratic sham through which dictatorship is installed in the party.