PRIME MINISTER CONFIRMS RESIGNATION; COMMITS TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BUCHAREST 001563

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/NCE - WILLIAM SILKWORTH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM SOCI RO
SUBJECT: PRIME MINISTER CONFIRMS RESIGNATION; COMMITS TO
NEW ELECTIONS

REF: A. BUCHAREST 1557


B. BUCHAREST 1521

C. BUCHAREST 1511

D. BUCHAREST 1433

E. BUCHAREST 1529

Classified By: Political Section Chief Robert S. Gilchrist for Reasons
1.4 B and D


1. (C) Summary: Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu July
13 announced he would officially step down from office early
next week and that the government has begun plans for snap
parliamentary elections. The announcement followed a special
joint session of parliament and a July 12 meeting among
senior political leaders meant to iron out differences over
stalled judicial reform legislation. Ruling
Liberal-Democratic (PNL-PD) contacts continue to stress that
the alliance is committed to move forward with new elections.
However, the PNL-PD must still secure a majority of votes in
parliament to force an early poll. End Summary.


2. (SBU) In the latest turn in what Romanian media now call
the "Electoral Crisis," PM Tariceanu reaffirmed July 13 that
he would officially step down following a planned trip to
Brussels on July 18. Tariceanu stated that procedures for
early elections would also begin at that time. In explaining
the rationale for his decision, the PM stressed that the
PNL-PD does not have a sufficient majority to "permit it to
make necessary reforms." He pointed to "insufficient will in
the Parliament" to foster judicial reform, the issue on which
his government is basing its decision to move toward new
elections.


3. (C) Tariceanu also asserted that none of the conditions
were met that he had set the night before during the meeting
of senior political leaders convened by President Traian
Basescu (Ref A). These conditions included meaningful
judicial reform, amendment of the law governing the
Constitutional Court, and a national referendum to modify the
constitution to allow the Parliament to overrule the Court.
According to Embassy contacts, Tariceanu's commitment to
forcing new elections had never wavered. Sources in both the
presidential palace and prime minister's office tell us that
snap elections are "more likely than ever."

Where There's a Will, There's a Way?
--------------

4. (C) Tariceanu's statement followed 24-hours of intense
political negotiations, many of which were ostensibly
intended to resolve the impasse precipitating calls for
elections. According to Embassy contacts, the meeting
convened by President Basescu late July 12 did not address
core concerns in any substantial way. According to senior
Democratic Party (PD) deputy Cristian Radulescu, the
lawmakers merely agreed to devise new legislation that would
pass constitutional muster. Other individuals present said
that Basescu urged parliament to "find a way" to pass justice
reform legislation. Indeed, Basescu declared at the
beginning of the meeting "solutions can be found if there is
political will" to do so. One Embassy contact cynically
noted there was "no will on either side." The PNL-PD
"clearly wanted new elections;" the PSD was unwilling, if not
incapable, of overriding the Constitutional Court decision
and meeting all of the PNL-PD's demands.


5. (C) According to PNL senator Nicolae Popa and other
contacts, PNL and PD leaders caucused "all night" July 12 to
devise ways to pass justice reform legislation - and to
discuss the overall political situation. By early morning,
they were "even more convinced of the need for new
elections." The morning of July 13, senior Presidential
Advisor Claudiu Saftoiu stated matter-of-factly to PolChief
that the President will announce the interim cabinet
following Tariceanu's July 18 resignation. He said Basescu
would offer his "fullest support" to the caretaker government
and that there would be "absolutely no interruption" in
meeting obligations for EU accession or for providing what he
characterized as "a stable environment for international
investors."


6. (C) The afternoon of July 13, Parliament voted in joint
session to adopt a "re-phrased" version of the justice reform
legislation. Delegate Minister and PNL-PD deputy Cristian
David told PolChief that none of the revisions adequately
addressed the government's concerns, but that it was better
than nothing. In any event, David said the PNL-PD is "still
intent on elections."

Iliescu Reemerges
--------------

7. (C) Press commentators and Embassy contacts continued to
note internal divisions within the PSD, with competing
factions in the party supporting or opposing new elections.
Most notably, however, former President Ion Iliescu has
reemerged publicly to a degree not seen since his
unsuccessful bid for the party leadership in April. His
primary tack has been to criticize the PNL-PD and Basescu for
focusing on partisan politics at a time when the country is
beset by torrential flooding in several areas. Iliescu
publicly urged Tariceanu to renounce his decision to resign -
and called on Basescu, in coordination with the Supreme
Council for National Defense (CSAT),to declare a "state of
emergency" in response to the flooding. Iliescu noted that
the Constitution forbids dissolution of parliament during a
state of emergency. Nastase also told journalists that he
opposed early elections. PSD President Mircea Geoana,
however, reaffirmed that the party is "ready" for early
elections.


8. (C) Comment: Tariceanu's confirmation of his resignation
moves Romania closer to new elections. However, neither he
nor his alliance have charted a clear path for overcoming the
constitutional hurdles that must be crossed in coming weeks.
This will require creative politicking, with risk at any
juncture of being derailed by small parties opposed to
elections, fatigued legislators, last minute dealmaking, or a
public backlash against what may appear to be cynical
political maneuvering. End Comment.


9. (U) Amembassy Bucharest,s reporting telegrams are
available on the Bucharest SIPRNET Website:
www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/bucharest.
TAPLIN