When everyone thought the tiff between the Romanian President and the Prime Minister was buried after the PM said he would let the President attend the upcoming European meeting, President Traian Basescu (in picture) has made a statement which could reignite the dispute. He said he will go to the European Council meeting because he knows he has more potential than the PM and that he can serve Romania's interests better. This came after the PM said the President didn't know anything about the negotiations and what will be discussed at the EC meeting, and that Government representatives had to fill him in.

“It is a difficult moment for us, as well as for the other states, because nobody is happy about the budget proposal launched by President van Rompuy. I would have not fulfilled my constitutional duties if I had passed the responsibility to the Prime Minister, who can also be delegated to to this,” said president Traian Basescu. He added he thinks he had a "more potential" than the PM and could serve the country better, but did not want to mention the reasons for his statement. Also, Basescu's message was a little unclear - indicating that he has greater influence in Brussels, is a better negotiator in general or is a more powerful person could all be interpretations of the President's words

Romania's potential use of its veto at the budget negotiation in Brussels could harm the country's stand, if announced beforehand, said the President. The Romanian media has already commented on it. “If we start with the idea of vetoing and we also announce it, we're out of the negotiations, nobody will hear us anymore,” said Basescu. The negotiation will not only take place at the meeting in Brussels, but is ongoing, and the Presidency is currently negotiating with several other European institutions.

The European Council meeting will take place between November 22 and 23 in Brussels. In June, the lack of agreement on who should represent Romania in Brussels became yet another public squabble between the president and the PM and echoed intentionally.

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: presidency.ro)