In a jaw-dropping move, Victor Ponta, president of the Social Democrat Party and one of the leaders of the opposition Social-Liberal Union (USL), made a 45-minute-speech at the time when the new government was sworn in, which took everybody by surprise and inflamed spirits.
Ponta stole the prime-minister’s moments of fame in parliament with a speech that was a far cry from his usual virulent tone, to the dismay of his opposition partner Crin Antonescu, president of the National Liberal Party.
Not only was the speech rather criticism-free but Ponta also opened the gate for a collaboration between the opposition and the ruling coalition.
“The opposition has 15 concrete proposals which, if you respect, you will have our support,” said Ponta.
Right after Ponta’s speech, an impromptu meeting was summoned by Antonescu with the National Liberal Party management to discuss the change in Ponta’s attitude.
Ponta said he writes his own speeches and does not need approval from the USL to support his position in Parliament.
Otilia Haraga