President: Democracy Is Endangered In Romania

Speaking at a meeting with young people at a Bucharest café, Iohannis also said that a referendum on the judicial bills is being “discussed”.

“How can we be in 2018 and talk openly about amnesty and pardoning because some criminals are leading the governing party? (…) Democracy is endangered in Romania and we must acknowledge this. We shall see about the referendum, but the election vote is the decider,” the head of state said during the meeting.

Iohannis also deemed the speech of PSD Chairman Liviu Dragnea in front of his party’s national council on Sunday as a “sad, very sad” event.

“This speech shows clearly, without question, that PSD under Dragnea has become an anti-European, anti-justice, anti-investments and anti-business party. (…) PSD, under Dragnea, is in opposition with Romanians,” added the Romanian head of state.

Several high-ranked members of the country’s ruling coalitions, including Social Democrat Party Chairman Liviu Dragnea, have recently requested the Government to pass a decree on amnesty and pardoning, citing alleged judicial abuses committed in the past couple of years as a reason.

In response, President Iohannis requested the Government to notify him of the work schedule for each upcoming cabinet meeting in advance, and also said that he will attend them.