Former Romanian President: I’m glad that Victor Ponta’s resignation came on my birthday

Former President Traian Basescu, who turns 64 today, also commented Victor Ponta’s decision to resign from the position of Prime Minister. “Victor Ponta’s resignation from Victoria Palace and the Romanian Government is a gift for the country. I am glad that it coincided with my birthday,” he said for local B1 TV news. In his opinion, Victor Ponta did the right thing. However, “considering the plagiarism accusations, the prosecution, he should have resigned earlier. He took the decision very late. The resignation’s motivation is not the history but the present, the increasing social tension.” Basescu also said that, if he would be President, he would take into account a Prime Minister who could manage the current situation. “I wouldn’t have many negotiations. Once appointed, the Prime Minister has to try to make a coalition. I would consult the parties, but I would choose a Prime Minister which I would assume,” he said. Prime Minister Victor Ponta announced his resignation on Wednesday morningafter over 25,000 people went to the streets in Bucharest, on Tuesday night, asking the Government to take responsibility for the tragedy in club Colectiv last Friday in which 32 people lost their lives. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com