Slatina Mayor Accuses PSD of Political Surveillance and Persecution

In a dramatic press conference, the liberal mayor of Slatina, Mario De Mezzo, has accused the Social Democratic Party (PSD) of orchestrating a campaign of political persecution against him. Adevărul reports that De Mezzo is convinced that PSD is employing individuals to surveil and photograph him, a claim he bases on recent pictures published in the media showing him and his official car at a Bucharest mall. The mayor finds it highly improbable that he and his vehicle would be so easily spotted in a large parking lot like AFI Cotroceni within a short timeframe, unless he was being deliberately followed.

“

I am convinced that the PSD is paying people to follow me.

De Mezzo vehemently denies any wrongdoing, stating, "I am not hiding anything." He expressed his bewilderment at being portrayed as a "special criminal" simply for having lunch with his daughter in a mall. He further highlighted the suspicious circumstances, noting that his car was found and he himself was photographed within 45 minutes, suggesting a level of targeted surveillance that goes beyond coincidence. This incident, he believes, is a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation and undermine his administration.

“

It seems extremely bizarre that they found my car and found me in less than 45 minutes... And they took pictures of me with my daughter. They made it famous. I didn't want this.

The mayor did not shy away from drawing parallels to a darker period in Romanian politics, invoking the "Dragnea era." He recalled how, during that time, party members felt constantly monitored, with leader Liviu Dragnea allegedly aware of everyone's activities. By referencing this period, De Mezzo aims to underscore the perceived authoritarian and intrusive nature of the PSD's alleged tactics. He also took a jab at the PSD's Olt County Council president, Marius Oprescu, questioning the exorbitant price of electric minibuses purchased for schools, implying mismanagement and misplaced priorities within the rival party. This political maneuvering and public accusation signal a deepening rift and intense rivalry between the liberal and PSD factions in Slatina.

“

I believe that in Olt County, we have returned to the Dragnea era.