The battle for Romania begins: what political alliance will emerge a winner?

Political games are at an all – time high in Romania these days, after the Government split, and ahead of elections for the European Parliament and for the country's presidency. Negotiations are ongoing for a new Government structure, but the fight is also increasing on the presidential candidates front. The former head of the Liberals and former Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu parted ways with the National Liberal Party, and said he plans to create his own party, the Liberal Reformer Party (Partidul Reformator Liberal), as well as run for President. He even has the public support of the current PM Victor Ponta, the head of the Social Democratic Party. Ponta said Tariceanu is a strong candidate for the Presidency, and suggested his party could also offer him support, like it was planning to do for the PNL back when the two parties were in the ruling alliance. Two days ago, the PNL left the Government, and decided to join the opposition. Tariceanu thus becomes a direct competitor for the head of the Liberals, Crin Antonescu, who also wants to run for president. The public message on the Social Democratic side is that they plan to rebuild the Social Liberal Union USL, and support a single candidate for Romania's presidency. In exchange, they want to keep the Prime Minister position. With whom they will do that, it remains to be seen. But Victor Ponta did not rule out going back to the same political agreement it had with PNL, thus supporting Crin Antonescu instead. “I'd make a political team with Mr. Tariceanu, just as I would team up with Mr. Antonescu,” said the PM during a TV show at Antena 3. “The USL is badly wounded, but it is not dead,” he added, explaining that his former ally Crin Antonescu fell into a trap set by Romanian president Traian Basescu. Other potential candidates for presidency who would benefit from the voters' trust, in Ponta's opinion, who also included himself last on the list, are Raed Arafat, Mugur Isărescu, Sorin Oprescu, Crin Antonescu and Victor Ponta. editor@romania-insider.com