Grindeanu: No names for the position of prime minister were discussed at Cotroceni

Social-democrat chairman Sorin Grindeanu (PSD) stated on Monday that no names for the position of prime minister were discussed during the consultations at Cotroceni with President Nicusor Dan.When asked at Parliament whether Alexandru Nazare's name had been discussed, Grindeanu replied that there had been no discussion regarding that name or any other, apart from one mentioned by the Social Democrats in this context?Eugen Tomac."This proposal was not discussed. (...) Do you know what the President is doing? I don't, but no names were discussed today. Not even Nazare's. (...) Nothing of the sort was discussed today. Not at all. That name was not mentioned. And to be clear, no other name was mentioned either?not just Alexandru Nazare's, but *no* name was mentioned today. Actually, I apologize. I did mention the name Eugen Tomac a few times?along with Varujan, I believe?and I'll tell you why. Because everyone came forward with this scenario of an 'armistice,' 'peace,' or 'transition' government. And I asked why the President's initial proposal from two months ago?Eugen Tomac?wasn't considered suitable back then. That was the scenario: a short-lived government to get us through this period, but others didn't accept it. Yes, one name *was* mentioned," Sorin Grindeanu stated.Regarding early elections, he assessed that this is "a scenario" that cannot be ruled out, but one that "cannot happen overnight.""It is a scenario that can never be ruled out; it is on the table. However, it is not a scenario that can unfold overnight. So, if we were to enter this scenario, elections would take place sometime in the late autumn of this year. It is a scenario that would plunge the political and economic landscape?above all?into a state of, let's say, ongoing instability. And that is, in fact, the primary factor we need to consider. Yet, it remains a possibility. We have no issue with entering such a scenario. I do not view it as a positive outcome, nor do I see things changing overnight; I will tell you what I stated at Cotroceni regarding this scenario: naturally, we would approach elections on a reciprocal basis. If the USR and PNL have made decisions ruling out coalitions with the PSD, then obviously, we will adopt the same stance. In other words, do not expect the PSD to simply play the punching bag?taking the hits?only to be called upon to vote for legislation in Parliament when the need arises, as is the case right now. That is why I said at the start of my remarks that those currently in the governing coalition?both at Cotroceni and elsewhere?need to fully grasp the PSD's position: today, we are in opposition," Grindeanu asserted.When asked if he had made the parliamentary vote on laws linked to the PNRR milestones conditional on the interim prime minister's resignation during a meeting at Cotroceni, the PSD leader denied it but added that such a move would be a gesture of good faith."I didn't make this a condition at Cotroceni, but it strikes me as a gesture of good faith. When you are operating in a political landscape where you have a PNL president dismissed by Parliament and a prime minister dismissed by Parliament?yet you still deliver a speech about the country, priorities, and matters that transcend party interests?then it would be best to step back from politics as a gesture of good faith and let someone less politically polarizing take charge during this period. Otherwise, we risk reigniting a political battle over the various laws that are part of the PNRR package. That is precisely what I wanted to avoid, especially since there is something more fundamental at play: a vote by Parliament telling you to go home. Generally speaking, in situations like this, you leave," stated Sorin Grindeanu.   In his opinion, it is difficult to say whether a new government will be installed by the start of the parliamentary session on September 1."I think it is good that we met and that we will meet again at the end of the week (at Cotroceni). There were proposals from both the minorities group and the UDMR?which we agreed with?that were rejected by the PNL and USR. (...) You know, Hunor put it most vividly today when he said: 'If we really want to get something done, one idea is to form an "armistice government"?we set aside the various constraints you've had, find a prime minister, and move forward.' I agreed. Varujan agreed. The others did not. I don't know if we will have a government in place by the start of the parliamentary session on September 1st. It is truly very difficult for me to make predictions of this kind," Grindeanu stated in Parliament.He noted that the leader of the national minorities' parliamentary group spoke of a "coalition 2.0".When asked whether the option of a government led by a technocrat with political ministers had been discussed, the PSD leader replied: "Yes, but the problem doesn't lie with us." He added that Ilie Bolojan and Dominic Fritz oppose such a possibility.