Solemn meeting in Parliament dedicated to the Centenary confirms political division instead of unity of political class for the national interest

Parliament convened on Wednesday in a solemn meeting devoted to the celebration of the Centenary of the Great Union, meeting in which President Klaus Iohannis, Premier Viorica Dancila, Princess Margareta, members of the Government and of the Diplomatic Corps, Patriarch Daniel and Archbishop Ioan Robu took part. The plenary meeting started with the national anthem, followed by President Klaus Iohannis’s speech. Senate Speaker Calin Popescu Tariceanu, House Speaker Liviu Dragnea, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, Her Majesty Margareta, Custodian of the Romanian Crown, as well as representatives of the parliamentary groups also gave speeches.   Iohannis, call on political class after virulent speech: It’s time to reconsider some laws that lack the people’s support   President Klaus Iohannis stated on Wednesday, during the solemn meeting of Parliament marking the Centenary, that the representatives must reconsider some laws – such as the judicial laws – that lack popular support or the support of European bodies. “It is your responsibility to ensure good legislation, in a framework of open and transparent debates involving professionals, and through social dialogue, so that the decisions taken here would correspond with the real needs of the people. Do not harm Romanian society by going forward with judicial laws and Criminal Code amendments that are incongruent with a veritable democracy. There are so many problems that are waiting for solutions, problems which Romanians want you to address,” Klaus Iohannis stated. Referring to the political and governmental majority, the President added that there are populist approaches that have sown discord, and that there are some politicians who lack the sense of democratic governance. “The anniversary of the Centenary has been awaited by our fellow citizens as one of those moments of vitality. Romanians have seen what our forefathers accomplished. If today’s political class wants to be evoked years from when there is talk about Romania on the Centenary of the Great Union, then it will have to attain those objectives that truly correspond with the expectations of our citizens,” Iohannis added. President Klaus Iohannis stated on Wednesday, during the solemn meeting of Parliament marking the Centenary, that the question is whether politicians want to continue to promise a lot and to deliver little. “On 1 December 1918, Iuliu Maniu was wondering in Alba Iulia what his generation could do to live up to the accomplishment of such an ideal. Having the privilege of being President of Romania during the year of the Centenary, I pick up the question and ask it to you, the representatives of the nation: What would make us worthy of the accomplishments made 100 years ago. Today the question that must be answered by politicians, regardless of party or doctrine, is whether they will continue to promise a lot and deliver little, or whether they have the courage to deliver at the second Centenary. I believe the answer to this question can give us the source of cohesion,” Klaus Iohannis stated. President Klaus Iohannis claimed that some populist approaches have sown discord, referring to the political and governmental majority, and said that some politicians lack the sense of democratic governance. “Ladies and gentlemen parliamentarians and members of Government, listen to the voice of Romanians, reconnect with national interests, live up to the Centenary and do not dishonour it. Romania reaches its potential only when politicians are guided by a national project and the hopes of the people. Not losing its compass and becoming the captive of several politicians who lack the sense of democratic governance. (…) Romanians understand that things depend on the consistency with which we pursue our commitments. It is time for the political and governmental majority to understand this too. Some populist, demagogical and manipulative approaches have sown discord and have affected the way we should celebrate,” the President stated. “It is also a moment of reflection in which we should ask ourselves in all honesty whether we have claimed the place we deserve among the countries of the world. Are we going in the right direction or are we heading toward the wrong road? The anniversary of our country’s 100 years finds Romania at a crossroads in the next Centenary. We are living in a free society with stable institutions and we are linked by a strategic partnership with the strongest country, the United States. We are EU members integrated in the family of nations as our forefathers dreamed. It was not easy for us to get here and that is precisely why, just like one century ago, people have high hopes and justified expectations from those who are leading them. Even more so on the Centenary, Romanians expect to have responsible, honest political leaders that would hold the interests of Romania – not their ephemeral interests – at heart,” Klaus Iohannis stated.   PM Dancila: I address President Iohannis message of political peace, our duty to cooperate   Prime minister Viorica Dancila on Wednesday conveyed a message of “political peace” to President Klaus Iohannis, stressing that regardless of the political or electoral stakes, they have the duty to cooperate and collaborate. “Dear compatriots, at this solemn sitting of the Greater Union Centennial, I address a message of political peace to the President of Romania, Mr. Klaus Iohannis as well. As I have said throughout my term, I am convinced that, regardless of the political or electoral stakes we have ahead of us, in the official capacities that we have as Prime Minister or President, we have the duty to cooperate, to collaborate with each other. It is a duty beyond any personal stake, it is a duty to Romanians and to Romania, it is time to enjoy consensus and tranquility at the 100th anniversary of the Greater Union,” Viorica Dancila stated in Parliament’s plenary session dedicated to the celebration of the Greater Union Centennial. The prime minister added that she wishes the National Day be celebrated in a climate of “peace and tranquility, without discord.” “The national interest must take precedence over political interest,” she added. The Prime Minister  saluted...

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