Financiarul

President Traian Basescu said on Tuesday that Sibiu City (center) mayor Klaus Johannis could discuss with other political structures too if he wants to become credible, but underscored that he makes this statement only to highlight that he will not accept to designate a Premier backed by the ‘Grivco coterie.’

‘Mr. Johannis is an admirable man, but I know what is behind this understanding. Mr. Johannis could also tap other political structures, if he wants to become credible. I cannot accept a designation based on an understanding the masterminds of which were Voiculescu, Ion Iliescu, Hrebenciuc. It is against national interest. If Mr. Johannis understands to discuss with all the parties, we can consider any solution. But in no case the Grivco solution. I just rule this out,’ Basescu said in a press statement at his campaign headquarters.

Asked if he could possibly accept the appointment of Johannis, should the latter turn to the Liberal Democratic Party (PD-L), Basescu said this is a speculation and only pointed out that he would not accept a Prime Minister who has actually Dan Voiculescu, Ion Iliescu, Viorel Hrebenciuc and Mircea Geoana deciding behind him.
Basescu also argued that a group of bus inesspeople with vested interests use the interface technique, supporting Geoana for President and Johannis for the office of Prime Minister.

Traian Basescu added that his obligation is to try to give the country a head of government who should not be manipulated by various interests, and that experience has shown that political parties need to come to terms in a joint act of government. He reiterated that he only wants a partnership with the Romanian people, not with the parties.
Basescu said that he expects to garner votes from any the area of the electorate, given that he is the incumbent President and has served the Romanians for five years without making any compromise with those who eye Romania’s resources. ‘My contract as President of Romania is with the people, not the parties.

And I will stay consistent with this partnership, because I was under no contract with the parties when I won the elections, I won with the endorsement of an alliance, I did not negotiate for the second round with anyone and plan no negotiation this time either, for the mere reason that this would mean to place my next term under the burden of unacceptable pledges,’ he explained. Basescu said that he wants to carry on his activity as President based exactly on the same principles, especially now, after the referendum has shown that the Romanians want the state reformed.

In other news, Basescu argued that the referendum did not influence voter turnout, given that the options expressed in the popular consultation were fewer than the ballots cast in the presidential election. He estimated that the turnout in the runoff will be substantial too.