Opposition leader Victor Ponta’s pro PM speech brings discontent in the opposition coalition

A speech delivered by Social Democrat Party leader Victor Ponta ( in picture) prior to the Parliament vote on the new Government yesterday (February 9 ) triggered reactions from all parties. Victor Ponta’s conciliatory speech in the Parliament triggered discontent among members of the National Liberal Party, a partner in the opposition union USL.

Despite opposition expectations, Ponta avoided any harsh attacks against the new Prime Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu and his appointed ministers. He said the opposition will support the new Government in several projects, as long as they are correct, and also asked the new PM to be a Prime Minister for the people, and not for the country’s president Traian Basescu. Romania’s new Government, led by Prime Minister Razvan Ungureanu, won the confidence vote on Thursday (February 9), with 237 votes ‘for’ and 2 ‘against’. Except for a few party members, including Victor Ponta, head of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), opposition members were absent at the time of the vote. After this speech, PNL leader Crin Antonescu said that the liberals don’t concur with the “style” of Victor Ponta’s speech. PNL and PSD are together part of the opposition alliance USL. A PSD statement reads: “There is no intention of PSD or USL to support this Government”, adding that the opposition union still wants early elections and the resignation of President Traian Basescu. Romania’s Prime Minister Razvan Ungureanu announced the list of 16 ministers on Wednesday morning. The average age of the ministers in the proposed Government is 46 years, making it the youngest Government in Romania so far. Check the list here. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com