Romanian President Dan to Address Political Crisis at Cotroceni Press Conference

President Nicușor Dan held a press conference at Cotroceni Palace on Tuesday, November 10, at 19:00. He announced the event through a Facebook post, saying he would speak openly about the challenges of recent months and priorities for the coming period.

The conference took place one day after his meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Black Sea security and defense investments. Dan said he considered it useful to hold a dialogue with the press at the end of the political crisis.

“It is not certain that this party can keep the country safe, given the situation in the region.”

He described the period as difficult for Romanians, noting that living standards had fallen for a year and continued to decline for another six months. He said everyone had lost precious time and that the period had been highly emotional.

Dan said he would answer four questions in essence. The first concerned the country’s financial situation and why rating agency evaluations are crucial. The second addressed why bringing AUR into government would have meant a rapid economic collapse, a drop in living standards, and damage to Romania’s external relations, including its security.

The third question covered why early elections would have led to a collapse of the rating and the economy. Dan explained that rating agencies tell investors the risk of investing in a country, and that political instability, quarrels with partners and banks, and annual borrowing of 150 billion lei would influence investment recommendations.

He also rejected the idea that PNL and USR could govern without dialogue with PSD, calling it an illusion. Dan said no president can prevent a party from acting, and that throwing the country into the air by trying PSD and AUR first, then PNL and USR, would be harmful.

Finally, Dan questioned whether AUR could keep the country safe given the regional situation. He said it is not certain that the party can keep the country safe once in government.