Romanian Liberal VP Delays Run For Party Leadership

“I have announced my colleagues in the party council about my decision. I am still running for PNL presidency, but I am postponing my contention until the next congress of PNL, which I’m sure will be held after the presidential elections,” said Ludovic Orban.

 

He said that, together with his supporters in PNL, he will support Crin Antonescu in his running for the office of party president and president of Romania. Orban also expressed his confidence in thefact that “after the presidential elections, the position of PNL president will be vacant, as [Antonescu] will become the president of Romania.”

 

When asked how many votes Antonescu can hope to receive in congress, Ludovic Orban avoided replying with a number, claiming that all the county organizations are setting up permanent delegations at the moment, and that each of these delegates is free to say how they will vote.

 

“In every county organization in which I took part, there is an aspiration to increase PNL’s performance, to exceed its current position of under 20% and each of the liberals I have talked to wants PNL to win both the presidential elections and the upcoming parliamentary elections,” said Orban.

 

As regards the position for which he will be backed by Antonescu, Orban said he will decide what office to run for after the congress to amend the statute will have taken a decision, meaning he has his sights set on a position which needs the congress’ approval – that of first vice-president.

 

“I usually campaign for myself, and the way I do that is by being side by side with my party colleagues throughout the country, whenever they need me. I will back Crin Antonescu with all my power for the position of president of PNL and especially in the race to decide the president of Romania. After the congress will have decided on the statute, I will decide which office to run for,” said the PNL vice-president.

 

When asked to comment on the support Antonescu has promised to liberal Relu Fenechiu in his running for the office of first vice-president, Orban said that “the congress will bring together almost 1500 delegates; each of them will vote for a candidate, according to their own will and worth.”