Traian Băsescu: 'Bolojan acts against national interest; let institutions form government'

Former Romanian President Traian Băsescu has sharply criticized leaders within the National Liberal Party (PNL) for their strong reactions following President Klaus Iohannis's nomination of Adrian Veștea as prime minister. Băsescu dismissed accusations of "betrayal" leveled by liberal leaders as politically motivated and lacking in intelligent arguments.

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Bolojan is acting against the national interest. Let Parliament and the responsible institutions give the country a government.

"Bolojan is acting against the national interest. Let Parliament and the responsible institutions give the country a government," Băsescu stated in an interview with TVR Info. He argued that President Iohannis had provided the PNL with exactly what they should have wanted: a candidate from within the party's leadership. "President Dan gave them exactly what they needed. He gave them a liberal candidate, the first vice-president. What more could they want? Why didn't they form a minority government around Veștea?" he questioned, criticizing the PNL leadership's vehement response.

Băsescu categorically rejected the notion of "betrayal" in this context. He believes the term is used abusively to mask a lack of solid political arguments. "What is betrayal in a matter like this? Who betrayed them? Politicians use strong expressions, betrayal, selling out, I don't know what, because they don't have intelligent messages and then resort to brutality to reach the public," he commented.

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President Dan gave them exactly what they needed. He gave them a liberal candidate, the first vice-president. What more could they want? Why didn't they form a minority government around Veștea?

While acknowledging that President Iohannis could have informed Ilie Bolojan before nominating Veștea, Băsescu considered this a matter of protocol rather than a serious political breach. "It would have been polite to inform Bolojan, even if Bolojan would have said, 'I don't agree.' But it was polite to inform him. But neither Bolojan nor the liberals can take away the president's right to choose a person. It was a matter of unresolved politeness, nothing more," Băsescu explained.

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What is betrayal in a matter like this? Who betrayed them? Politicians use strong expressions, betrayal, selling out, I don't know what, because they don't have intelligent messages and then resort to brutality to reach the public.

Regarding the internal tensions and calls for a party congress within the PNL, Băsescu characterized them as "exaggerations meant to create impact." He advised Bolojan to "be decent and let the institutions work," dismissing the idea of him returning as prime minister after being overwhelmingly rejected by Parliament with 281 votes. "How can you send him back to Parliament after he fell with 281 votes? To tell Parliament: last month you removed him, now install him? It would be ridiculous," the former president stated.

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It would have been polite to inform Bolojan, even if Bolojan would have said, 'I don't agree.' But it was polite to inform him. But neither Bolojan nor the liberals can take away the president's right to choose a person. It was a matter of unresolved politeness, nothing more.