Pro- and anti-govt. rallies expected at Romanian Parliament during no-confidence motion vote

Supporters of both the ruling and opposition parties are expected to protest in front on the Parliament on Wednesday, June 27, when a no-confidence motion against the PSD-ALDE government is scheduled for debate and vote. The opposition party Save Romania Union (USR) urged people to take the day off and join a “peaceful protest” in front of the Parliament building on Wednesday, starting 12:00, during the no-confidence motion vote. “Take a day off for Romania and come to the Parliament on Wednesday. USR members across the country will be in Izvor Park. Call your friends in the country and offer accommodation for those who need it. After the vote on the no-confidence motion against the Dancila government we will go to Victoriei Square,” reads USR’s message on Facebook. Moreover, Ludovic Orban, the president of the opposition National Liberal Party (PNL), also sent a message to the party’s supporters, urging them to attend the rallies organized on the day of the motion, both in the country and in Bucharest, local Mediafax reported. Meanwhile, Claudiu Manda, a senator representing the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD), said at local TV station Antena 3 that supporters of the PSD-ALDE coalition could also be present in front of the Parliament on the day of the no-confidence motion. Asked what might happen if both pro- and anti-government supporters will protest in front of the Parliament at the same time, Manda said there are two options, “either we can compare them numerically or they get into conflict.” He also said the no-confidence motion filed by the opposition parties against the government will not pass. PSD leader Liviu Dragnea said the ruling alliance MPs would not participate at the no-confidence motion vote and only be present at the meeting to ensure the required quorum. At least 233 MPs need to vote the motion for it to pass, as the Parliament has 465 members. Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com