Nicușor Dan ally says suspension talk is not serious, warns early elections could bring surprises
Businessman Matei Păun, a close associate of President Nicușor Dan, has dismissed the AUR party's push to suspend the president as an attempt to undermine the institution, while warning that early elections could produce unexpected outcomes for those who seek them.
Suspension talk dismissed as political attack
Matei Păun, a businessman and long-time associate of Romanian President Nicușor Dan, has dismissed the opposition AUR party's initiative to suspend the head of state, calling it an attempt to undermine the presidency rather than a serious constitutional process. The AUR party, led by George Simion, launched the idea with a Facebook poll earlier this week. However, AUR senator Petrișor Peiu acknowledged the party lacks the necessary signatures, holding only 90 parliamentarians and needing 155 to proceed.
I believe the subject of suspension is a way to attack him, a way to try to undermine the Presidency. I don't think the issue is seriously on the table.
Prime Minister-designate Eugen Tomac linked the suspension effort to external destabilisation, stating that Russia clearly wants Romania to remain unstable.
The president's political style
Păun described Nicușor Dan as a person focused on procedures, institutions, and long-term vision, rather than short-term political games. He noted that the president has been consistently preoccupied with political stability over the past year, a fixation that Păun admitted sometimes frustrated him.
He always talks about this, he always wanted this, honestly it bothered me at times too, because we are human and it's hard to be constantly reminded that you are essentially held hostage in a political system that doesn't allow you to dream of certain reforms.
When dissatisfied, the president becomes more sombre and his discontent is visible on his face, Păun said, describing him as a person who does not vociferate much.
Relationship with PSD explained
Păun firmly rejected the notion that Nicușor Dan is aligned with the Social Democratic Party (PSD), calling the idea a total absurdity. He explained that some of the president's supporters projected their own anti-PSD sentiments onto him, expecting a confrontational approach that was never Dan's objective.
Nicușor, I believe, did not want to be president to start a jihad against PSD or other parties. He wanted to be president to achieve certain reform objectives, public policies and so on.
Păun argued that isolating PSD could push the party toward new political alliances, potentially shifting the balance of power. He noted that Dan was elected with roughly 20 percent of the vote as a free choice, with the remaining margin up to 50 percent representing a tactical vote, particularly against rival candidate George Simion.
Early elections and economic warnings
Păun warned that if no political compromise is reached, Romania could eventually face early elections, but cautioned that such a scenario often brings surprises, especially for those who desire it. He said President Dan has repeatedly stated he does not want early elections, though a prolonged political blockage would require an exit.
Early elections, as a rule, bring many surprises. Especially for those who want them. That's what history shows us.
Păun also described Romania as being in a deep macroeconomic imbalance, citing recession, stagflation, high inflation, budget deficits, and the risk of a sovereign rating downgrade. He suggested a technocratic government could serve as a temporary exit from the political deadlock, while warning that the situation is bad and likely to worsen before it improves.
