Ilie Bolojan files candidacy for PNL leadership ahead of Sunday extraordinary congress in Bucharest

Candidacy submitted

Ilie Bolojan submitted his candidacy for the PNL presidency on Saturday, 20 June, ahead of the extraordinary congress that will convene in Bucharest on Sunday, 21 June. His motion, titled "Modernizare cu Rădăcini" (Modernisation with Roots), calls for a party that is more open, credible and connected to the expectations of Romanians. The candidacy filing deadline closed at 5 PM on Saturday, with Bolojan's the only motion registered.

Today I submitted my candidacy for the position of president of the National Liberal Party, at the Extraordinary Congress that will take place tomorrow in Bucharest. I am running with the motion "Modernisation with Roots", alongside a team that believes in the need for reform, professionalism and responsibility in politics.

The congress was convened after President Nicușor Dan designated PNL member Adrian Veștea to form a new government without prior consultation with the parties. Veștea announced on Friday evening that he would not run against Bolojan for the party leadership, reversing his earlier declared intention to contest the post.

Proposed leadership team

Bolojan presented a proposed leadership slate: Dan Motreanu is set to become the sole first vice-president, after the party reduced the number of such posts from four to one. Robert Sighiartău is proposed as secretary general. The vice-presidents nominated are Mircea Abrudean, Ioan Popa, Siegfried Mureșan, Oana Gheorghiu, Alexandru Muraru, Dragoș Pîslaru, Florin Roman and Gabriela Horga. Oana Gheorghiu and Dragoș Pîslaru both joined the PNL shortly before the congress to support Bolojan.

Statute reforms

A project to overhaul the party's statutes was adopted by the National Council for Statute and Regulations on 18 June. The main change involves abolishing the Executive Bureau (BEx), with all its administrative, political and organisational duties transferred to the National Permanent Bureau (BPN). At an extraordinary council meeting, the amendments were approved with 551 votes in favour, 128 against and 3 abstentions. Additional reforms include the creation of a National Litigation Commission to handle disciplinary cases and clarifying procedures for sanctioning members.

Reactions from within the party

Former prime minister and presidential adviser Ludovic Orban told Digi24 he expects "a categoric victory for Ilie Bolojan, his team and the strategic line he proposes". He described the withdrawal of Bucharest mayor Ciprian Ciucu from the race for first vice-president as "a gesture of great honour" and said he was convinced Ciucu would be acquitted of the criminal charges opened by the National Anticorruption Directorate on Thursday.

A categoric victory for Ilie Bolojan, his team and the strategic line he proposes. That is what will happen.

Deputy Florin Roman, one of the proposed vice-presidents, struck a darker tone. In a Facebook post he wrote that the new leadership team are "fixed targets" and that members must be ready to "put a suitcase at the door". He said the party is returning to "dark times" because, after many years, the PNL will no longer be controlled from the Cotroceni Palace or from other grey zones. Roman also described Ciucu's withdrawal as "a great loss" and criticised a recent decision by an Ilfov tribunal that he said suppressed internal party democracy.

We have returned to dark times. Those who accept such candidacies must seriously consider placing a suitcase at the door.