Basescu loses the first battle against PDSR

Traian Basescu, the general mayor of Bucharest, yesterday lost a battle with PDSR (Party of Social Democracy) members within the municipal council, who succeeded in imposing a decision the PD (Democrat Party) leader did not agree with, regarding limitation in the number of members of commissions within the council.

The mayor came almost half an hour later to attend the council session convened for the election of specialised commissions and of the four deputy mayors of the capital city. In fact, the tense situation was initiated by the proposal of PDSR (Party of Social Democracy) councilors to downsize the commission.

Considering the proposal as a manoeuvre of PDSR and CDR (Romanian Democrat Convention) meant to eliminate the eight PD (Democrat Party) councilors from all commissions, Basescu first drew the attention of prefect Ion Iordan, who also attended the meeting, saying that such a decision would be illegal.

As a matter of fact, from the very beginning of the session, rumours linked to the alliance PDSR-CDR-PRM (Great Romania Party) for the positions of deputy mayors generated a certain feeling of animosity among PD councilors.

Seeing that the session chairman Radu Dumbraveanu (PDSR) submitted the project to vote and that it finally passed, Basescu left the hall in anger: “I am compelled by the law to attend council meetings, and not such Bolshevik masquerades.” Referring to his conflict with the members of the municipal council, he stated his optimism, saying he was patient.