Problem Solved - Iliescu Takes Care of His Campaign in His Own Free Time

President Iliescu confirmed yesterday SDP’s (the Social Democratic Party) executive president, Octav Cozmanca, statement, according to which the chief of the state will get involved in the SDP electoral campaign. Yesterday, Iliescu said he would take part in the electoral campaign according to the parliamentary elections Law, but, in the same time, he would take care of all the issues concerning his chief of the state status.

"There is a law about the parliamentary elections. I have agreed on taking part in the elections and this also allows me to take part in the electoral campaign", said the chief of the state, when talking about the way in which he would get involved in the electoral campaign for the parliamentary elections.

DECISION. Iliescu didn’t want to state the precise terms of his taking part in the campaign, saying only that he is "a candidate for the Capital" and that he would combine this "activity normal for any candidate for the Romanian Senate with his current activity as President of Romania". "Meaning I’m not leaving my mandate. I heard a proposition: if I backed out, the Senate’s President would come to take my place. He is a Senate candidate as well so, from this point of view, the problem would be the same", added the President. He stated he decided to go on with his mandate, to fulfil all his duties as President of the state, with all of the things it "devolves". "And I am to find a solution in order to support my Senate candidacy", he also said. When asked in what way he will insure the presidential institution neutrality during all this time, the chief of the state answered: "The institution is not getting involved in the electoral campaign". He admitted on doing his campaign during his "own free time".

Octav Cozmanca was saying that an important fact for winning these elections was "the credibility and the notoriety of the present chief of the state". "I believe he will bring extra consistency, credibility, seriousness, trust", he also said.