USR leaders have decided to withdraw their support for Elena Lasconi

They referenced an opinion poll showing Lasconi receiving only 4.1% of the vote, placing her fifth. „It’s a difficult moment, but we cannot put personal egos first,” said Dominic Fritz.

„Our polls, along with all credible surveys, clearly indicate that if the election were held today, it would result in Victor Ponta and George Simion advancing to the second round. Nicuşor Dan would come in third, slightly behind Victor Ponta, while I must state with regret that the USR candidate Elena Lasconi would secure only 4-5% of the vote. We are all grateful for Elena Lasconi’s historic campaign; she is the first candidate from our party to reach the second round, uniting a significant portion of Romanian society that supports Romania’s European path. Unfortunately, we are no longer in that context, and it has become clear that Elena Lasconi cannot reach the second round,” stated Dominic Fritz, Mayor of Timişoara.

He added that USR leaders have decided to convene a Political Committee, „considering the real danger Romania is facing,” to make a choice in favor of Nicuşor Dan.

„In the short term, this is a painful decision for the party. During this political committee meeting, we will vote to support an independent candidate for the presidency of Romania. This was not an easy decision—it was made within the National Bureau with only two votes against it. However, we believe it reflects the majority view of the party members, and especially of the many Romanians who do not want a second round between Victor Ponta and George Simion. This is a challenging moment for us as a party and for Elena Lasconi. We cannot put personal or party pride before the historical stakes we face; we must act with great responsibility. This decision will leave a mark on the USR, and the outcome from the Political Committee will certainly be a sore point, but this wound can be healed with a victory for pro-European forces on May 4, and later on May 18,” Fritz continued.

He also mentioned that Elena Lasconi is determined to proceed with her candidacy and that she does not recognize the decision made by the party leaders.

„Our polls, as well as all the real polls, clearly show that if today were the election, it would be Victor Ponta and George Simion in the second round. Nicuşor Dan would rank 3rd, a little behind Victor Ponta, and I say it with pain, the USR candidate Elena Lasconi would have 4-5% of the vote. All of us here are grateful for Elena Lasconi’s fight, a historic fight, she is the first candidate from our party to reach the second round and she managed to unite around her and her candidacy a good part of Romanian society and all those who want Romania to remain on a European path. Unfortunately we are no longer in that context and now it is very clear for us that there is no way for Elena Lasconi to reach the second round”, says Dominic Fritz, Mayor of Timişoara.

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He adds that the USR leaders have decided to convene a Political Committee „taking into account the real danger Romania is in” to decide to support Nicuşor Dan.

„In the short term, it means a painful decision for the party, and at this political committee to vote to support an independent for the office of President of Romania. It is not a decision that we took easily, it is a decision that we took in the National Bureau with only two votes against, but as you can see it is a decision in which we, the party leaders, are confident that not only a majority of the party members, but especially a majority of all Romanians who do not want to have a second round between Victor Ponta and George Simion. It is a difficult moment for us as a party, it is also a difficult moment for Elena Lasconi, but we cannot put personal pride or party pride first precisely because we are in a situation with a historical stake and we must respond to this stake with great responsibility. This day will remain a wound for the USR and certainly the decision that will follow in the Political Committee, but this wound can be healed with a victory of the pro-European forces on May 4 and later on May 18”, added Fritz.

He added that Elena Lasconi is determined to go ahead with her candidacy and that she does not recognize the decision of the party leaders.