Romanian PM Resents President’s Low Blow
Earlier in the day, Basescu and Tariceanu engaged in a sarcastic back-and-forth in Craiova, southern Romania, where Romania and U.S. giant Ford Motor Co. wrapped up the deal to buy state-owned auto assembly plant Automobile Craiova.
The Premier said that he tried to “shake hands” with the president but the latter responded with accusations and sarcasm. He added that his good will was answered with “a low blow, untruthful accusations and defamation, in president Basescu’s unmistakable stile.”
The Premier reiterated the fact that without the tax on car’s first registration the Ford investment in Craiova would have never taken place.
The Prime Minister said Basescu should be sanctioned for his deeds at the next elections.
Earlier Friday, in his speech before Automobile employees Tariceanu thanked Basescu for attending the ceremony and said this shows the head of state finally understood the country’s controversial car tax is useful and not a matter of personal ambition.
Basescu replied he doesn’t know how important the tax is and how much it helped Ford, “but Citroen is definitely well protected,” thus hinting towards the Premier.
Tariceanu is the majority shareholder in Automotive Trading Services, which is a major dealer of the Citroen brand in Romania.