Political Unrest in Bucharest

The first ordinary Parliament session in Bucharest has acknowledged ALDE leader, Calin Popescu Tariceanu's stepping down from the position of Senate President. The move was made public by the Social Democrats' former partner the ruling coalition concurrently with its decision to break up with the government coalition. Tariceanu has described himself as a fair, honest and impartial Senate president, adding that he could no longer continue with this job.

Calin Popescu Tariceanu: "I was appointed for this job by a political alliance and it seems only fair to step down since the respective alliance no longer exists."

Surprisingly, ALDE could still head the Senate through its vice-president, Teodor Melescanu, who has been offered this job by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) itself. Social Democratic leader Viorica Dancila has explained the decision.

Viorica Dancila: "The position belonged to ALDE and we wanted to show that we are fair until the end. I talked with my colleagues at the latest meeting we had with the president of the Chamber of Deputies and also had the Senate voting."

Teodor Melescanu believes his appointment as Senate president would be beneficial to ALDE.

Teodor Melescanu: "This position is a guarantee of the fact that ALDE will not be subjected to pressures of any kind, on the contrary it could also offer my colleagues future prospects."

Everything comes at a price in Romanian politics though everything is negotiable. It seems obvious though that ALDE's silence could be obtained in exchange for the political support offered to a minority PSD govern currently facing the threat of reshuffle through a no confidence vote. PNL, the main opposition party, made up of National Liberals, has announced its intention to negotiate with all the parties, except for the PSD, in order to increase the chances for the no confidence vote to pass. Here is PNL president Ludovic Orban with more on the issue.

Ludovic Orban: "Once the Parliamentary session has started we are going to kick off talks with all political parties represented in the Romanian Parliament, of course with the exception of the PSD groups. As far as we are concerned, the text of the no confidence vote drawn up by the National Liberal Party will be subjected to negotiations with all Parliament groups. There are six other Parliament groups that should associate with the National Liberal Party in this move to bring down the government."

Also in opposition, the USR-PLUS Alliance is still calling for snap election as a prerequisite for joining a new Executive. According to its leader, Dan Barna, this is the only way to build up a Parliament majority to promote the reforms Romania needs. It's partner, the leader of PLUS Dacian Ciolos, stands for a transition government until the snap election.

However, the very complex Parliament equation cannot exclude Pro Romania, a splinter group from the PSD led by the country's former Prime Minister Victor Ponta, PMP, UDMR or the deputies of national minorities. The latter have traditionally been voting the government.  

(translated by bill)