Dominic Fritz, president of the political party USR, said on Tuesday evening that many of the voters who supported President Nicușor Dan feel disappointed with the direction the president has taken since the election, particularly on issues of justice, anti‑corruption and the relationship with the Social Democratic Party (PSD). Fritz made the remarks during an interview on TVR 1. “I believe there are many people in Romania who voted for Nicușor Dan with different hopes and values, and they are now very disappointed,” he said. “I am disappointed as well, and I think a large part of the people who sympathise with USR and who supported him in the campaign share that feeling.” When asked whether he considered himself deceived by Dan, Fritz rejected the notion, explaining that the term “deception” implies intent, which he could not assess. “I do not think deception is a presidential category… deception presupposes an intention. I cannot judge what the president’s motives are for the many areas where he has disappointed people,” he said. In a statement dated 21 October, Fritz noted that the relationship between USR and Dan had changed since the beginning of the president’s term. He criticised the political situation in which PSD appears to control power without holding a majority. “I do not think deception is a presidential category… I cannot judge what the president’s motives are for the many areas where he has disappointed people,” he repeated. Fritz said the disappointment stems from a gap between the messages Dan delivered during the campaign and the decisions he has made in office. He cited Dan’s statements on justice, anti‑corruption and the PSD as examples of the disconnect. “I believe many people – and I still include many USR members and supporters – listened to him during the campaign, for instance what he said about justice, about anti‑corruption, about the PSD, and now they no longer recognise him,” Fritz added. Tensions between USR and President Dan were evident earlier in August, when a PSD‑backed amendment to the integrity law threatened the mayoral mandate of Dominic Fritz. Sources quoted by the newspaper Adevărul reported that Fritz was disappointed by the lack of a firm response from the head of state and that the relationship between the two had deteriorated.
Article source: Adev&acaron;rul | Image credit: Adev&acaron;rul