Former Head of Romanian Intelligence Service Founds Party

Last week Ioan Talpes put on Romania’s political map one more party: the Popular Social Christian Party, as if wanting to embrace into its fold both.

The party did not have time to stand out, but his founder did. Talpes was presidential adviser and head of Romania’s intelligence services during Ion Iliescu’s presidential mandates.

In other news this past week:

Monday, the deputy mayor of Ramnicu Valcea is ousted from the Democrat Party for allegedly receiving 20,000 euros in bribe. President Traian Basescu salutes the debates in the US Senate regarding the visa waver for the countries joining the US in the antiterrorist fight.

Tuesday, Bogdan Pascu, of the Conservative Party, took the oath as deputy PM.

Presidential adviser Theodor Stolojan said the National Liberal Party was dropping in public polls because of its leader, PM Calin Popescu Tariceanu.

Wednesday, the Constitutional Court ruled the President could call a referendum on the matter of his choice.

Secretary General of the Social Democrat Party Miron Mitrea was criminally indicted for the case involving the development of a new headquarters for the public radio.

Tariceanu said he disagreed with making public the archives of the former Securitate and Romanian Communist Party.

Thursday he said that building the Transylvanian highway by Bechtel was a priority. While former president Emil Constantinescu ranted against Stolojan and Basescu.

Friday minister of interior Vasile Blaga said the Executive could not go forward with its plan for early elections unless it negotiates with the opposition parties. "The early elections should take place when we have agreed upon," added Blaga.