Letter to the prime minister from political leaders: They request meetings to restart the economy

PSD interim president Marcel Ciolacu has announced on Monday that he sent a letter to prime minister Ludovic Orban on Facebook. The social-democrat argues that it is time for the Liberal Party (PNL) and the Orban Government to recognize that they "do not properly manage the health and economic crisis".

"Given both the exceptional nature of the situation and the constitutional relations between the Parliament and the Government, we consider that it is indispensable to establish without delay a framework of institutionalized political dialogue in the interest of the whole Romanian society. The state of emergency compels us all to agree on the objectives and methods of state actions. We are particularly concerned about how the Government is acting in the medical-sanitary plan to prevent the spread of the epidemic and we are concerned about the lack of accurate information on the measures you are taking and the Government's action plan in the short and medium term”, according to the letter published by the PSD leader.

The document shows that there is a risk that the economic collapse will turn into a "major social disaster".

"Many alarming signals are coming from the economic environment, which is expecting rigorous and rapid measures to mitigate the effects of the crisis and at the same time wants to be effectively involved in providing support to overcome the current difficulties. There is a major risk that the economic collapse we are witnessing will turn into a major social disaster and that is why we are willing to work with the Government to take the most efficient measures capable of ensuring the economic recovery as quickly as possible", the letter added.

The letter's signatories draw to the prime minister's attention the fact that it is against democratic principles not to consult the parliamentary majority regarding election or support measures for employees.

“Last but not least, we want to avoid a legislative competition between Parliament and Government. We want to remind you that the Government you lead does not have the discretion of a delegated legislator. The emergency ordinances you adopt immediately reach Parliament, where they will be debated, to be adopted or rejected in whole or in part. To ensure the efficiency of the emergency measures you envisage, it is essential to consult with all the parliamentary parties beforehand. Otherwise, these measures can withstand substantial changes when adopted, given that the party you run is based in Parliament on about 20% of the vote. It is against the most elementary democratic principles not to consult and disagree with the parliamentary majority in matters such as the organization and timing of elections or support packages for employees, businesses and consumers who commit major public spending”, the letter continues.

Also, the political leaders ask the prime minister to discuss plans for returning to work "in order to resume as quickly as possible the economic activities and the functioning of the central and local administration institutions".

"We are concerned about the lack of transparency of decision-making and the avoidance of tackling some problems that the Government shows, as well as the effects that the establishment of the state of emergency creates by restricting some fundamental rights and freedoms. The purpose of the state of emergency is to increase the efficiency of the administrative act, not to tarnish the quality of democracy. The crisis will pass, but the violations of the Constitution and the deviations from the good democratic practices will remain in the public memory”, the letter shows.

The signatories of the document ask the prime minister to accept organizing regular meetings of the Government with the parliamentary parties, in order to examine the problems reported.

The letter addressed to Ludovic Orban is signed by Marcel Ciolacu, PSD president, Kelemen Hunor, UDMR president, Călin Popescu-Tariceanu, ALDE president, Victor Ponta, Pro Romania president, and Varujan Pambuccian, the leader of the national minority group.

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