The National Political Council of the Social Democratic Party meets on Monday, June 15, from 3 p.m., online. The meeting takes place at a key moment for the political scene, after President Nicușor Dan appointed Adrian Veștea for the position of prime minister and entrusted him with the mandate to form a new government.
PSD reunites its leadership after the appointment of Adrian Veștea. PHOTO: Inquam/Octav Ganea
UPDATE 17.30 Sorin Grindeanu: “I didn’t know about the designation”
The Social Democratic Party decided on Monday to grant a “broad mandate” to the negotiation team for the talks with the appointed Prime Minister Adrian Veștea, with a view to forming a new Government, according to some political sources.
The social-democratic leader Sorin Grindeanu declared, after the meeting, that he was not informed in advance about the decision of President Nicușor Dan to appoint Adrian Veștea for the position of prime minister.
“I did not know about the plan regarding the appointment of Adrian Veștea”, stated Grindeanu, specifying that the designation is, in his opinion, constitutional. Asked if Vestea would be suitable for the position of prime minister, Grindeanu avoided a decisive answer, stating that a decision will be made “following discussions”. He emphasized that the PSD has not yet determined whether or not it will enter the government, and a final decision will be made after the negotiations with the designated prime minister.
“Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, when Mr. Veștea contacts us, we will have a meeting, we will discuss the program, the team, after which I will come before the party”, the PSD leader also said. The talks would take place on Tuesday, June 16.
Grindeanu also commented on the procedure for appointing the prime minister, referring to the political precedent from 2008: “I remind you that in 2008, after the elections, a PSD-PDL government was formed and appointed prime minister, in the first instance, was Theodor Stolojan, who resigned after a few days and Emil Boc came, without any kind of consultation. It is constitutional, ask Băsescu”.
In parallel, PSD conveys that it will continue discussions with Adrian Veștea in the coming days, as part of negotiations that will clarify possible parliamentary support for the future government.
UPDATE 15.50 PSD mandates Sorin Grindeanu for negotiations with Prime Minister-designate Adrian Veștea
According to some political sources, the National Political Council of the PSD voted in the meeting to grant a mandate to the leader Sorin Grindeanu, to conduct negotiations with the designated prime minister, Adrian Veștea.
The talks would take place on Tuesday, June 16.
The main condition is that the PSD proposals are accepted and included in the government program.
The meeting takes place at a key moment for the political scene, after President Nicușor Dan appointed Adrian Veștea for the position of prime minister and entrusted him with the mandate to form a new government.
The decision came after the retirement of Eugen Tomacwho submitted his mandate as prime minister.
The PSD position is considered essential for the future executive. With 129 MPs, the Social Democrats are the largest political force in Parliament and can play a decisive role in forming a majority to support the new government.
At least 233 votes in Parliament are required to invest an executive.
Mihai Fifor: PSD had no role in appointing Veștea
Before the PSD leadership meeting, PSD Arad leader, Mihai Fifor, stated that the party had no role in appointing Adrian Veștea for the position of prime minister and that the decision regarding the support of the future government is to be taken in the formation’s forums.
How does the “Bolojenist from PSD” see Veștea’s appointment as prime minister: “He has two targets”
“PSD did not participate in the decision to appoint Adrian Veștea for the position of prime minister. PSD did not propose it. PSD did not appoint him“, wrote Fifor on Facebook.
He argued that the designation and the disputes generated within the PNL are a problem of the liberals.
“The fact that Adrian Veștea accepted the appointment without prior consultation with the PNL leadership is exclusively a PNL issue. The Liberals need to clarify why one part of the party supports his appointment and another contests it“, said the leader of PSD Arad.
At the same time, Fifor specified that the PSD was not consulted before the nomination and that the party’s position will be established after Monday’s meeting.
“PSD was not consulted and had no knowledge of this designation. Today, at 3:00 p.m., the PSD National Political Council will analyze the situation and establish the negotiation mandate“, he said.
The news promises the continuation of Bolojan’s program
In the first statements after his appointment, Adrian Veștea stated that he will fully take over the governance program of the former executive led by Ilie Bolojan.
“The governing program that the Bolojan government had and which was agreed by all parties, I will take over in its entirety, without changing a single comma“, declared the designated prime minister.
Vestea announced that it will propose a team of ministers with administrative experience and professional expertise, so that the new cabinet can start its work immediately after the investiture.
Veștea promises the continuation of Bolojan’s program In the first statements after his appointment, Adrian Veștea stated that he will fully take over the governance program of the former executive led by Ilie Bolojan.The governing program that the Bolojan government had and which was agreed by all parties, I will take over in its entirety, without changing a single comma“, declared the appointed prime minister. Veștea announced that it will propose a team of ministers with administrative experience and professional expertise, so that the new cabinet can start its work immediately after the investiture. Current president of the Brașov County Council, a position he has held since October 2024, Adrian Vestea he was previously Minister of Development, Public Works and Administration. He was also the mayor of Râșnov for 12 years.
The nomination caused tensions in the PNL
The appointment of Adrian Veștea generated strong reactions within the National Liberal Party.
PNL leader and interim prime minister Ilie Bolojan stated that neither he nor the party’s leadership were informed in advance about the president’s decision.
“I took note of the fact that President Nicușor Dan appointed Mr. Adrian Veștea for the position of Prime Minister. Neither the PNL leadership nor I, personally, were previously informed by the president about this decision“, Bolojan said.
He described the nomination as “a hostile act” and “an obvious attempt to break the PNL” and announced the convocation of the National Political Bureau of the party to establish an official position.
In parallel, leaders of USR and UDMR expressed reservations about the chances of a government led by Adrian Veștea to obtain sufficient parliamentary support for the investiture.
