Traian Băsescu criticizes Nicușor Dan for delaying the designation of a prime minister

Former President Traian Băsescu says that Nicușor Dan must urgently designate a candidate for the position of prime minister, amid the political deadlock over the formation of the Government. In an interview with Digi24, Băsescu said that the president is constitutionally the only person responsible for unblocking the situation and that delaying the nomination is a mistake.

Traian Băsescu said that Sorin Grindeanu would not want to become prime minister, while Ilie Bolojan would prefer to remain in office. In his view, designating a candidate would allow that person to publicly assume the role of future prime minister and begin efforts to form a majority.

The former president rejected the idea that the head of state should verify in advance the number of votes needed to install the Government. He argued that the outcome is unpredictable, especially two years before parliamentary elections, when some lawmakers might no longer be included on their parties’ candidate lists.

Băsescu emphasized that the parliamentary majority depends on the parties forming the coalition and on Parliament, not on the president. He also invoked the secrecy of the vote and lawmakers’ right to vote according to their own conscience.