Ilie Bolojan calls PM-designate 'weak link' chosen to split PNL, defends institutional ties to president
Re-elected PNL president Ilie Bolojan sharply criticised President Nicușor Dan for nominating Adrian Veștea as prime minister without consulting the party, describing the move as lacking political fair-play and calling Veștea the party's vulnerable point selected to split the liberals.
Re-election in a tense climate
Ilie Bolojan was confirmed as president of the National Liberal Party (PNL) at an extraordinary congress on Sunday, running uncontested after Adrian Veștea withdrew his candidacy. The congress took place amid open friction between the party leadership and the head of state over the nomination of Veștea as prime minister-designate.
The vote underscored Bolojan's control of the party despite what he described as tensions caused by the president's decision. He noted that as late as Saturday afternoon he was unsure how the congress would unfold or whether it would be contested by multiple motions.
Nomination branded 'not fair-play'
In an interview with Digi24 shortly after the congress, Bolojan did not hold back on his view of President Nicușor Dan's choice of Adrian Veștea to form a government. He said the nomination was made without consulting the party leadership, calling it a breach of democratic norms.
Nominating a person from a party without consulting that party is not a fair-play gesture, and it is not in the spirit of parliamentary democracy.
He argued the president deliberately picked a figure he considered the 'weak link' inside the party in order to fracture it.
To break something, you have to identify the weakest spot. Unfortunately, that is the situation.
Bolojan warned that any liberal who accepts a post in a Veștea-led government would immediately lose their PNL membership, reiterating a decision voted at the congress.
Institutional cooperation described as functional
Despite the harsh criticism, Bolojan stressed that the day-to-day working relationship between the government and the presidency had not broken down. He said teams from both sides continued to collaborate on foreign policy, matters before the European Commission, and the defence portfolio, where responsibilities are shared.
I have sought a correct relationship throughout this period and I have had no problems cooperating, because on every dossier where joint decisions were needed the teams of the two institutions worked together and decisions were taken without difficulty.
He added that a proposal for a minority government supported by a national pact had been conveyed to the president, though no further details were given.
Photo and congress invitation
Asked about a photograph showing Nicușor Dan dining with PNL MEP Rareș Bogdan, Bolojan said he lacked the context but noted as a matter of principle that 'you dine with whom you feel comfortable.' He also explained that he chose not to invite the president to the congress because the event was held in crisis conditions and he did not want to create an uncomfortable spectacle for guests.
