Former Premier Theodor Stolojan yesterday told a PNL (Liberal Party) press conference that he would run for presidency on behalf of the Liberals. He issued a "statement on political responsibility assuming" that unleashed stormy reactions among his rival candidates. Stolojan said that his entering PNL is now a mere "formality."
He stated that he had decided to enter politics on the Liberals' lists because the faction led by Mircea Ionescu-Quintus "proves to be an engine for Romania's reconstruction," while most parties have lost credibility.
Stolojan specified that he wishes a "victory for Romania" from the bottom of his heart, considering that "political reconstruction must start from the presidency." The former Premier presented several elements of his programme.
Should he win the elections, he says he will support Mugur Isarescu for the position of Premier. Stolojan specified that, during last week's meeting, he suggested Isarescu to run for presidency because he has "higher abilities for this position." However, he did not disclose the answer given by the current head of the Executive.
The new candidate in the race for Cotroceni says that he and the party backing him up want to set up a larger coalition to support his candidacy, on condition it should share common values. Thus, he hopes that PNL and ApR (Alliance for Romania) will be able to merge in the wake of elections, a solution that in his opinion represents "the right track" for Romania to follow.
PNL prime vice-president Valeriu Stoica said that he held the first discussions with Stolojan on his entering politics at the beginning of 1999, shortly after the former Premier returned to Romania.
At that time, Stoica explained, Stolojan expressed his "Liberal option," while during last year's government reshuffle Stoica supported him for the position of vice-premier on reform issues.
The main parties that will fight during the electoral race have different opinions regarding Stolojan's announcement.
PDSR (Party of Social Democracy) leader Ion Iliescu considers that ruling parties are short of personalities able to candidate for the supreme position within the state. "Resorting to an outsider is the clearest expression of these parties' handicap, the inability to create personalities capable of taking on such a responsibility," Iliescu stated. Moreover, he thinks that PNL should also assume responsibility for the country's economic situation.
In his turn, Theodor Melescanu thinks that Stolojan's entering the race for presidency is "totally inappropriate," since "Cotroceni does not need an accountant, but a person that should have political and negotiating experience and that should be able to represent, according to his "job-description," the Romanian people."
PN?CD (Peasants Party) prime vice-president Ioan Muresan stated yesterday that, until Isarescu's official announcement, Stolojan is also supported by the new faction -"CDR-2000." Together with UFD (Union of Right-wing Forces) leader Varujan Vosganian, he said that the Liberals are waging "a psychological war" against Isarescu, to the end of determining him to give up his candidacy.
Stolojan specified that, once he decided to run for presidency, he gave up the position of head of Tofan Corporate Finance Management Board and all positions he previously held within the management of commercial companies.
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