Early elections still possible – says Romania’s President Traian Basescu

(Initially published in www.romania-report.ro - Feb 7, 2005)

After only one month of his mandate, president Traian Basescu already shows confidence that he will serve two terms in office as chief of the state. In addition, he said he did not rule out early elections this year.

In an generous interview for “Jurnalul National” daily, Traian Basescu said he wants Romania to have early elections as a result of a repeated resignation of the Government, adding that he believed that PM Tariceanu would accept this procedure, because he understands the national interest. Recent opinion polls resulted in massive popularity for the now ruling Liberal/Democrat coalition.

On Saturday Basescu has also launched a grace period for the institutions responsible with the fight against corruption: “You have six months to prove corruption months or else early elections to be held in Romania", presided was cited as saying. Traian Basescu stated that early elections were a solution absolutely necessary to Romania and this issue has to be tacckeled again right after signing the EU accession treaty in April.

“Mediafax” press agency quotes Basescu: "Of course we should not debate it (the opportunity of early elections) right now, as our priorities till April are set, but we have to taken it up again." He did not come with clear date for organising early elections, but he said they would take place when he would decide it, together with PM Calin Popescu Tariceanu, as such a decision could be reached only this way.

Basescu said that even if Romanian public is cautious when coming to the early elections solution, this had to be perceived as a normal democratic mechanism, eventually.

Traian Basescu gave as example the early elections about to come in Bulgaria, a country Romania is coupled to with view to the EU admission. He said elections would not delay the signing of the accession treaty: "I can assure you Bulgaria will not be delayed at all if it has early elections", Basescu said.

Romania Report - primary source: "Press Review"