Former Romanian PM and PSD leader criticizes “professional deficiencies” of current ministers

Adrian Nastase, a former prime minister of Romania and leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) between 2000 and 2004, made a critical analysis of the current ruling party PSD on his blog. “It is increasingly difficult to reject that part of the tensions in society and the attacks against PSD are determined by obvious professional deficiencies of some of those tasked with leading ministries, agencies and other public institutions,” Nastase wrote in his blog post. He added that, although not loved, PSD used to be respected for its governing knowledge, which now seems less valid. The former PM also criticized the idea of PSD supporting another party’s candidate in next year’s presidential elections, even if he respects the coalition’s likely candidate, former prime minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu. For PSD’s supporters, however, such an option shows the party’s representation and political identity crisis. Moreover, such an option would likely reduce the party’s chances of winning the 2020 parliamentary elections, Nastase suggested. He also criticized the party’s foreign policy, saying that although the current leaders in Bucharest may be tempted by an illiberal regime, they should be aware that Poland and Hungary have always had more supporters in the West than Romania. Nastase’s post comes as Liviu Dragnea’s position as head of PSD is again disputed by some of the party’s members, including Bucharest mayor Gabriela Firea. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Facebook/Adrian Nastase)