Romania’s ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD) confirmed its president at a congress on August 24. Marcel Ciolacufor another term and named him the party’s presidential candidate.
Ciolacu claimed the two positions based on his previous achievements: he had reformed his party after the era of controversial leader Liviu Dragnea and transformed it into a “pro-European party” and brought his party to government in 2021, at a time when the center-right coalition supported by President Klaus Iohannis seemed to be in absolute control.
With no challenger for either position, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu delivered a comprehensive speech criticising the smaller ruling Liberal Party (PNL) and President Klaus Iohannis and outlining the Social Democrats’ governing strategy for at least one more legislative term.
His speech was in this respect more like that of a candidate for prime minister. He outlined a detailed economic strategy with an emphasis on industrialization and consolidation of national capital (in line with the doctrine of economic patriotism previously introduced by the Social Democrats) and left the door open for another term as prime minister.
He also questioned the idea of resigning from the party leadership if he fails to win the presidential election.
(Photo source: Inquam Photos / Ioana Zamfir)
