Traian Băsescu

euronews interview - Victor Ponta: "Romania is a democracy"

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• published: 24 Jul 2012
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http://www.euronews.com/ Euronews reporter Hans von der Brelie interviewed Victor Ponta during a political crisis: the centre-left government wants to oust the country's Conservative president, Traian Basescu, saying he has overstepped his powers. Meanwhile Brussels is concerned about justice within the government's power battle with the president. The conflict could have far-reaching consequences. Alongside Bulgaria, corruption-ridden Romania wants to join the Schengen Zone, a step which could be postponed. Just a few days ahead of the impeachment referendum, the European Commission prolonged its monitoring of Romania's legal and justice system and its fight against corruption. *Hans von der Brelie euronews:* "Is Romania still a democracy?" *Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta:* "Definitely it is. And it is a part of the European Union. It shares the same values and I am convinced that we will prove this to all our friends and partners in Europe." *euronews:* "During recent weeks you have issued more than 40 urgent decrees. Is Romania at war?" *Victor Ponta:* "No, I would not say at war. It is in the middle of a political conflict. We lack the tradition of dialogue between political forces. We did not suceed in solving our differences, which could have let to avoiding this political conflict." *euronews:* "This fight between the President and you is harming Romania. Maybe there will be a postponement of membership of the Schengen Zone, due to this?" *Victor Ponta:* "That would be a pity because we have accomplished - and here President Basescu and myself we completly agree - we have accomplished all the technical requirements and the standards, to be a very strong and effective border of the European Union. That would be a pity that Romania and maybe Bulgaria would be politically punished when we have accomplished all the standards (of the EU) to be a Schengen member." *euronews:* "The European Commission will issue a follow-up report on Romania later this year. What is your strong message for Brussels?" *Victor Ponta:* "The strongest message is that out of eleven concerning points put forward by European Commission President Barroso, we have already solved seven or eight in one week. So we will solve the rest of them and we will prove that we got the strong message from the European Commission, we positivly reacted to it, and we are ready to put all things back on track." *euronews:* "Washington and Brussels: both are deeply concerned. Do you still respect the constitutional court and its decisions?" *Victor Ponta:* "Completely. And fully. The Parliament also reacted very positivly and put all the decisions of the consitutional court into action. Everything it is going to be the way the constitutional court has decided. Even the popular referendum with a quorum (50% participation), and also all other actions taken by the Parliament and by the government are going to fully respect and implement the constitutional court decisions." *euronews:* "What is the reason that you are attacking the President? Why do you want to get rid of the President?" *Victor Ponta:* "I would answer very simply because 80% of the Romanian population want to get rid of the President. But that would not be a political answer. The real problem is the complete differences between our political agendas. President Basescu has assumed a different political agenda, not only austerity, but he even protected his own party, and he politised all State institutions. We got a huge public support for us during the last local elections, on 10th June, with a different political agenda, which is budgetary discipline. We are applying all the agreements with the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund, but also to some growth and job solutions, which I think is the new European trend." *euronews:* "Earlier this year Romania saw huge mass manifestations and we got the impression that the people are fed up with austerity. Is it getting too much, maybe? Do you really stick to this austerity deal with the International Monetary Fund?" *Victor Ponta:* "Absolutely we do. Yes, we will stick 100% with the agreements with the IMF and the European Commission. This is a fait accompli." *euronews:* "The European Commisison is worried about you and having fired the independant ombudsman, how do you react to this?" *Victor Ponta:* "The Parliament, our new majority, is going to appoint an ombudsman only based on a political agreement with all the political forces." *euronews:* Find us on: Youtube http://bit.ly/zr3upY Facebook http://www.facebook.com/euronews.fans Twitter http://twitter.com/euronews