The Grindeanu Government survives its first no-confidence vote

The Grindeanu Cabinet remains in power after Parliament on Wednesday voted against the no-confidence motion filed by the right-wing opposition.

Leyla Cheamil, 09.02.2017, 13:53

The right-wing opposition’s attempt to oust the ruling coalition made up of the Social-Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats from Romania has failed. Initiated by the National Liberal Party and the Save Romania Union and backed by the People’s Movement Party, the no-confidence vote did not succeed to gather the required number of votes to pass.

A little over a month after being sworn in, the Government easily survived its first no-confidence vote. Its promoters criticize the Government for adopting an emergency decree overnight and in secrecy, amending the criminal legislation and thus preventing corrupt politicians from facing criminal prosecution. “Romanians are against amnesty and safeguarding corrupt politicians. Passing laws that benefit personal interests is not a solution for Romania, because they only weaken the rule of law and Romania as a nation”, the opposition has argued in the text read in Parliament.

In fact, the emergency decree amending the criminal legislation has sparked off public anger across the country. For days on end people protested the move, calling on the Government to repeal the decree and then step down. Joining them were Romanians in the Diaspora. Faced with rising public pressure, the Government announced its intention, for the time being, to give up amending the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes.

After Wednesdays vote in Parliament, the interim president of the National Liberal Party, Raluca Turcan, said the vote was a political way of sanctioning the Government: “Parliament has a chance of regaining its credibility. I believe there is a lesson to be learned from street protests. There must be some political accountability for the huge loss of public confidence and for this shameful decree. The fact that it has been repealed shows that someone was wrong and must be held accountable”.

Also in opposition, the Save Romania Union leader Nicusor Dan said the Government has lost public trust because it put the interest of party leaders before that of the country. Nicusor Dan claims the Social-Democrat leader Liviu Dragnea, not the Government, was the one who initiated the emergency decree to amend the criminal legislation, as he is facing criminal charges.

In turn, Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu acknowledged the public anger and commotion generated by this emergency decree, adding that decisions on sensitive matters, such as fiscal or legal issues, will be taken based on transparent dialogue in the future.

Sorin Grindeanu: “I will say no to any such future initiatives. We need to debate more and to collect the opinions of more knowledgeable people and institutions with respect to matters that can cause a powerful public backlash. I promise henceforth that this Government will focus exclusively on dialogue and public consultations when it comes to measures with a strong impact on society”.

Social-Democrat leader Liviu Dragnea says the no-confidence vote has brought up an issue which the Grindeanu Cabinet has reconsidered, in response to repeated street protests.