Isarescu answers Quintus today

Premier Mugur Isarescu will today officially answer PNL’s (Liberal Party) request regarding dissent from Finance minister Decebal Traian Remes, the Government’s spokesperson Gabriela Vranceanu-Firea announced yesterday. On the other hand, most members of the Liberal leadership, which will today officially announce the withdrawal of the party’s political support for Remes, are opting, according to sources within the Permanent Bureau, for the replacement of the dignitary with another representative of the party.

The party’s spokesperson Crin Antonescu stated it was possible that PNL should explicitly ask the Premier to dismiss Remes, but admitted that the Liberals might accept to maintain the Finance minister in position, in the context of negotiations with the IMF.

“Should the Premier tell us that Romania cannot survive without Remes, we will not compromise the country’s welfare,” stated Antonescu, who added that PNL would not condition its support for the Cabinet on the dismissal of the Finance minister.

Should Isarescu and PNL reach an agreement on the replacement of Remes, the Liberals might propose for the position of minister the current chairman of Eximbank, Dan Radu Rusanu, the secretary of state within the Finances Sebastian Vladescu or the former Communications minister Sorin Pantis. Antonescu ruled out the possibility that PNL should propose Theodor Stolojan.

PNL’s Permanent Bureau will also adopt a decision with regard to the other members of Bratianu Liberal Movement group, who could be deemed as “self-excluded.” PNL leader Mircea Ionescu-Quintus last week required Premier Mugur Isarescu to dissent from the political action of Remes, but Isarescu has not answered the request formulated by PNL leadership yet.