Romanian President Traian Basescu addresses the country’s Parliament on EU accession issues (Jun 20, 2006)

Jun 20, 2006 (Romania Report)

Romania's president Traian Basescu addressed to the Parliament in joint session for the first time since he took office in November 2004. In one-and-a-half hour speech, Basescu tackled the most pressing issues of the nation with a view to the EU accession, “a test for all the 22 million Romanians.”

Romania’s President Traian Basescu Monday reiterated the Democrat Party idea of a serious Government restructuring, while Liberal PM Calin Popescu-Tariceanu—who doesn’t agree with a Cabinet change—did not attend the Parliament session.

“It is hard to understand the opposition some politicians regarding a Government reshuffle, under the guise of complying with European Union requirements for political stability,” Basescu said—openly targeting Tariceanu.

Since taking office in December 2004, Basescu repeatedly tried, since mid-last year, to create a larger centre-right political force and to call early elections. But the presidential constitutional prerogatives prevented him from such moves and instead the Liberal ruling allies chose to strengthen Tariceanu’s position as PM.

Basescu also said in his Parliament address that the country’s institutions were touched by "endemic mediocrity," and reforming them was the only answer to the EU expectations.

He also mentioned the actual lack of tangible progress in the current Government actions, since the May 16 European Commission report yellow-flagged Romania on 43 issues, and red-flagged it on four.

The funding shortage in the education and healthcare systems was also one of the main issues Basescu mentioned. He took on the lack of progress in the judiciary system too, stating he hoped for its ruling body, the Supreme Council of Magistrates, to “clean up the house.”

Basescu also said he hoped the Parliament would adopt the new law regulating the financing of political parties, and the one setting up an Integrity Agency in charge with monitoring the personal wealth of public officials.

The Social-Democrat leaders in opposition praised President Basescu’s address and said they will try to oust the Govt by issuing a no-confidence vote this Wednesday. The motion would pass in case the Democrats—who themselves want a Govt reshuffle—will choose to vote against the ruling coalition they belong to.



Romania Report