Opposition parties, the National
Liberal Party, the Save Romania Union, Pro Romania and the People Movement’s
Party have signed the National Agreement proposed by President Klaus Iohannis,
aimed at consolidating Romania’s European track. All parties agreed to support
efforts to transpose into national law the results of the May 26 referendum and
to correct the controversial modifications brought in the last couple of years
to the justice laws. The ruling coalition, made up of the Social-Democratic Party
and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats refused to sign the agreement. The
head of state again criticized the Social Democrats, saying the number of
amendments they asked for exceeds the number of articles in the agreement.
Klaus Iohannis said however that other parties are still free to sign the
agreement.
By signing this
agreement we don’t want to exclude the others, there is a possibility the other
parties will change their mind later, and I want the door to stay open to every
politician who wants to build a better Romania.
Liberal leader Ludovic Orban in
turn said the document can serve as the foundation of a genuine democracy in
Romania.
There is no other way
for Romania except a profound and serious integration, that should allow our
country to capitalize on all the opportunities and strengths at its disposal.
Save Romania Union signed the
agreement because it supports the rule of law and an independent judiciary,
Save Romania Union President Dan Barna argues.
This national agreement
is the cornerstone of a new construct that should also prevent people with
corruption sentences from holding public office.
PRO Romania leader, former
Social-Democrat Prime Minister Victor Ponta, in turn explained why he signed the
agreement:
I signed the agreement
together with my colleagues from PRO Romania Party for a very simple reason:
its principles are sound and benefit our society.
The President of the People’s
Movement Party Eugen Tomac in turn expressed hope that politicians would
understand Romania is closely bound to European values.
Our attachment to values
such as democracy, liberty, peace and the rule of law, which underlie the
European Union, are non-negotiable.
Social-Democrat interim leader,
Prime Minister Viorica Dancila refused to sign the document, as it does not
contain the amendments tabled by the Social Democrats:
I was not invited to
discuss the agreement, probably my statement contributed to that aspect. I’ve
said this agreement entails the consensus of all political parties, it is a
project that can be amended by political parties. We wanted to table certain
amendments, and since they were discarded, there was no reason for us to sign
the agreement.
The Democratic Union of Ethnic
Hungarians also announced it would sign the agreement next week.