More turmoil in Romania as presidential candidate suspends candidacy

  Crin Antonescu has suspended the agreement that named him the ruling coalition's candidate for the Romanian presidency, citing the lack of unanimous support among coalition members and an election date, www.euractiv.com informs.   Antonescu, a former leader of the Liberals, made it clear that he was not withdrawing his candidacy but argued that the four political leaders from the PSD, PNL, UDMR and the parliamentary minority who had endorsed his nomination "lacked sufficient authority" when they signed the agreement.   The 65-year-old is known as one of the co-architects of the 2012 political coup when the Liberal Social Union (USL) attempted to remove President Traian Basescu from office. He criticised politicians from the ruling parties who have recently suggested that the choice of a joint candidate has not yet been finalised.   On Saturday evening, in an interview with Digi 24, Antonescu said the agreement would remain suspended until the coalition leaders clarify whether it will be reinstated or alternative candidates are being considered.   On Sunday, Ilie Bolojan, the current leader of the Liberal Party, reassured the public that Antonescu would remain the National Liberal Party's candidate for the coalition in the next presidential election, scheduled for this spring. Bolojan acknowledged Antonescu's position and stressed the need to speed up the electoral process.   Hunor Kelemen, leader of the UDMR, told Europa FM that "no concrete plans or strategies" for the elections could have been developed during the holiday period. He noted that the ruling coalition is expected to meet this week to set an election date and finalise it before Easter. Kelemen Hunor also reiterated that the UDMR continues to support Antonescu's candidacy.   However, Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, a professor of democracy studies at Berlin's Hertie School, described Antonescu's nomination as an "improvisation" that lacked proper research into his chances of success. Speaking to B1, she argued that Antonescu ”now realises he is performing poorly in the polls and that the coalition behind him is disorganised”.   Mungiu-Pippidi believes that the ruling coalition "will not be able to agree on a common candidate and may ultimately have to rally behind someone with clearer goals, such as Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan", who has already announced his independent candidacy