Liberals to pick ruling partner on November 8

The Liberal Party’s leaders will decide, on November 8, which one of the two possible partners is their best option for remaining at rule, PNL president Florin Citu announced, News.ro reported.

The party is deeply divided as regards future partnerships. President Klaus Iohannis had recently urged the parliamentary parties to agree over a new majority - but it also reportedly encouraged the Liberal Party to remain the leading force in the would-be coalition. This condition is, however, increasingly challenging as the Liberal Party is losing MPs in favor of the dissident faction of Ludovic Orban.

The Liberals, even after counting their staunch partners from UDMR, are no longer in a position to form a majority with reformist USR and this is why a partnership with the Social Democrats seems more likely.

Just before the weekend, acting PM Citu expressed views consistent with accepting the Social Democrats as Liberals’ partner - but such a political construction, although plausible, will require the Liberals to significantly reduce their expectations possibly below what they are ready to consider.

The Social Democrats will also decide on November 8 in order to mandate negotiations in the view of forming a ruling majority with the Liberals, Adevarulreported.

Possible scenarios sketching future cooperation between the Liberals and the Social Democrats have been circulated after the first talks between the two parties, but they rather point to the difficulties that must be surpassed.

Under one such scenario, the parties will hold the PM seat by rotation - an option dismissed by Liberal leader Citu as still premature. In any case, the Social Democrats insist on controlling major ministries such as the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Investments and European Projects.

(Photo: George Calin/ Inquam Photos)