Financiarul

President Traian Basescu told officials of the parliamentary parties at the beginning of a meeting on Wednesday that he does not believe in the validity of a government of technocrats, and urged them to assume political responsibility for governance.

‘First of all, I do not believe in the validity of a government of technocrats. Romania is no longer the democracy of the early 1990s, when technocrats could assume responsibility for politicians who would stay behind them as puppeteers with precious orders. Secondly, I cannot accept the idea of a Government being appointed for two months.

There is no way Romania could afford another instability. Consequently, my proposal is that the political parties should bear responsibility for governance. You cannot opt for the technocratic version.

What serious technocrat would accept entering a Cabinet for one and a half month, after which politicians would come and tell them: boys, its is time you leaved, we have used you enough? I believe no famous technocrat will accept such a compromise,’ said Basescu.

He also said that following his talks with the parties two conclusions were drawn: first, the political parties are opting for a non-affiliated prime minister or as independent as he can be, secondly a government of technocrats with a limited tenure would be preferred.
He pointed out that in his opinion the parties should consider assuming governance in a time when the economic state of the country risks getting worse.

‘The opinions on Romania not having a fully functional Government to manage the country’s affairs are already highly negative and the emergence of a Government about which everybody will says it is being manipulated, with ministers who do not have enough authority is risky.

Reestablishing confidence in Romania could only be achieved by a political Government assuming responsibility for governance, answerable to the voters.

Not a Government of technocrats, whom you may think can be seconded as ministers. That is not possible in a Romania that is facing an economic crisis overlapped by a political crisis,’ said Basescu.

The President asked the attending political chiefs to give another thought to the idea of the political parties assuming the management of Romania in a time of crisis. ‘I can tell you that as far as I am concerned the constitutional procedure obliging the President to consult with the political parties has been fulfilled.

Some have come to the talks, some did not have time,’ the President said. The President mentioned that he wanted to meet simultaneously officials of all the parliamentary parties to draw some conclusions after Tuesday’s consultations.