Romanian ruling party excludes two high-level critics of its leader

The Executive Committee of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the main ruling party in Romania, decided on Monday, November 5, to exclude two of its top leaders, Adrian Tutuianu and Marian Neacsu, who have been among the main opponents of party leader Liviu Dragnea in recent weeks. Tutuianu, a vice president of Romania’s Senate, vice president of PSD and leader of the PSD Dambovita organization, was excluded for some statements he made during an internal meeting of his organization. He was recorded when criticizing in harsh terms some members of the government as well as party colleagues. He even said that PSD was a “party of monkeys”. Meanwhile, Marian Neacsu, PSD’s secretary general, was excluded for allegedly trying to break the ruling coalition’s majority in the Parliament by convincing some MPs to vote for a no-confidence motion against the Dancila cabinet. PSD leader Liviu Dragnea himself explained the decision to exclude the two members. He said that he doesn’t mind when colleagues criticize him but that the red line is crossed when they go against the party, local Hotnews.ro reported. However, political commentators expect Dragnea to continue removing his adversaries within the party next week, when the Executive Committee will vote on the government reshuffling. Deputy prime minister and development minister Paul Stanescu, is expected to lose his position in the Dancila cabinet after going against Dragnea. Stanescu criticized the party’s decision to exclude Tutuianu and Neacsu. editor@romania-insider.com