Grindeanu: PSD is heading to Cotroceni with its own nominee for prime minister

PSD President Sorin Grindeanu stated on Monday in Sinaia that the Social Democrats would attend the consultations at Cotroceni Palace regarding the formation of a new government with their own nominee for prime minister, and he specified that he is taking on this role himself.Grindeanu was asked whether the PSD would be willing to give up the prime ministership if a PSD minority government could not be formed."The PSD is heading to Cotroceni with its own nominee for prime minister. The PSD's choice for the premiership was made three months ago; nothing has changed. We do not alter our decisions based on which way the wind blows. Naturally, I am ready to assume the role of prime minister, though I must remind you that the President is the one who makes the nomination. The necessary political discussions will follow based on that decision. However, it is clear that a nomination needs to be made as soon as possible. What we established today is the political framework within which the PSD will support the future government. The options are either a minority PSD government or a government centered around the PSD. Unlike others who confuse the national government with a municipal administration, I know what it means to be prime minister. (...) The PSD has not changed its political decisions. Not everything depends solely on us. What we did today was set the framework for negotiations and discussions with other political actors," said Grindeanu in Sinaia, following the meeting of the party's National Political Council.The PSD chairman also stated that a prime minister should be designated as soon as possible, so that Romania can quickly return to a "normal schedule.""There were those summer months when it was quite difficult to vote in a new government. The ordinary parliamentary session begins tomorrow. I believe things need to quickly return to a normal schedule. (...) I would like us to have a fully empowered government by September 15," stated the PSD chairman.    The Social Democratic Party (PSD) proposes to the political parties that want to contribute to the formation of a parliamentary majority a political agreement with 10 priorities for the next two years, PSD national leader Sorin Grindeanu announced on Monday.The Social Democrat leader said at the end of a PSD leadership meeting in Sinaia the party made its support of a future government conditional upon the passage of concrete measures for the population and the economy."The Social Democratic Party supports a government only if the governing agenda contains concrete measures for the people, economy, investments and European funds. The PSD will first negotiate the objectives. Only after these priorities, if these priorities are accepted, can political formulas, positions or the sharing of governmental responsibilities be discussed. Therefore, PSD is suggesting to the political parties that want to participate in building a parliamentary majority a political agreement with 10 priorities for the next two years. The agreement is the basis for the governing agenda," Grindeanu said at the end of a meeting of the PSD leadership that took place in Sinaia.According to him, the priorities proposed by the PSD for the "construction of Romania" are: the development of energy and the capitalisation of natural resources; the defence of Romanians by modernising the national industry; the reindustrialisation and financing of Romanian production; improving of income collection before the introduction of new taxes; work paid according to productivity; improvement of education and healthcare systems; Romanian food, irrigation and rural development; strategic investments pursued transparently; defence of the national interest in the EU and NATO.He mentioned that every euro in the SAFE program must be reflected in the country's industrial capacity."These things are not negotiable. The PSD's conditions for this political agreement - namely each measure must have its funding identified, it must have a deadline, it must have a responsible institution, and it must have a public indicator. The priorities must be evaluated after the first 100 days, on each area, with a final evaluation deadline. Romania's European and transatlantic constitutional orientation is not negotiable," Grindeanu said.The PSD leader added that any violation of the agreement would be notified in writing, technically evaluated and receive a period of 15 days for remediation."Our message is simple, of course the agreement is much broader, more detailed. (...), but our message is simple - namely that Romania needs a government that stops austerity, protects Romanians' incomes, supports Romanian production and attracts every euro available for development. And PSD is ready to take responsibility, but responsibility means agenda, deadlines, funding and respect for the national interest," Grindeanu said.