Parties build their lists for Parliament
Renowned experts from various fields will be representing parties enrolled in the race for Parliament
Ştefan Stoica, 19.10.2020, 13:50
2020 is a very difficult year for Romania, with two scheduled
elections, one already postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Originally
slated for June, the local election was held at the end of September. The
National Liberal Party, which won the highest number of seats in county and
local councils, is racing against the Social-Democratic Party, which holds
majority in Parliament, for winning the legislative election scheduled for
December 6. Both parties are striving to strengthen their ranks with credible
candidates who would boost their election score. Constantly accused of favoring
the access of high-ranking party officials to key positions, the
Social-Democrats have recently enrolled two leading doctors, Alexandru Rafila,
the country’s representative at the World Health Organization, and Adrian
Streinu-Cercel, the director of the Matei Balş Institute for Infectious
Disease. The former features extensively on TV news, invited to better explain
the pandemic to the masses. The latter was himself a favorite of media outlets,
until news came out of a visionary, if not utopic, reform of the health system,
one that would help combat the pandemic and which he spearheaded. Even so,
Streinu-Cercel still enjoys the respect of his peers.
Social-Democrat president
Marcel Ciolacu says the new list of candidates include people of integrity,
professionals widely known in their fields of activity. Romania, Ciolacu
argues, is undergoing the most severe health and economic crisis in history,
and a competent and responsible Government should work with specialists to take
Romania through this deadlock. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and the
country is on the brink of disaster, Marcel Ciolacu went on to say. According
to the Social-Democrat leader, the Social-Democratic Party must build a strong
team for Parliament, one that should implement the governing program, solve the
health crisis and boost the economy and people’s living standards.
The Liberals
were quick to respond. Prime Minister Ludovic Orban believes Rafila and
Streinu-Cercel will be criticized by the public for their decision to run for
Parliament on behalf of the Social-Democratic Party, and that any opinion the
two would voice regarding the pandemic is no longer trustworthy. The Liberal
leader finds it hard to understand how the two doctors chose the Social-Democratic
Party, which he claims has been systematically undermining the efforts of the
authorities and specialists in the last months to limit the spread of the
pandemic. On the other hand, the National Liberal Party has also enrolled the
current Defense Minister, Nicolae Ciucă, the former chief of general staff in
the Romanian army. Meanwhile, the Save Romania Union – PLUS Alliance surprised
everyone with internal quarrels over available places on the lists for
Parliament. Some voices within the Alliance are disgruntled with the fact that
the Alliance has not nominated the people who are in the first line of battle
with traditional parties. In turn, the People’s Movement Party are staking
their odds on credibility and professionalism, by putting former Foreign and Justice
Minister Cristian Diaconescu on the top position on their lists for the Senate.
(Translated by V. Palcu)
