A HotNews.ro - BBC Interview

Luni, 14 ianuarie 2008, 9:03 English | Politics

Romania Transports minister Ludovic Orban, recently involved in a car accident scandal, said in a HotNews.ro - BBC interview this weekend that he intended to run for for Bucharest City Hall but his final decision will depend upon a his Liberal Party decision. Orban says that local elections will be held on time, in May 25 - June 15. He also said in the interview that the government still supported the nomination of a controversial senator, Norica Nicolai, for the seat of Justice minister, but said a final decision in this regard would be taken on Wednesday.

The Minister denied that there have been any negotiations with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) regarding a possible date change for local elections.

Orban confessed that he wants to run for Bucharest City Hall in the upcoming elections but he underlined that he would uphold any decision taken by his party. Orban declared that an official candidate would be put forward by the Liberals by March 15.

Journalists have put forward the names of Vasile Blaga for Democrats and Geoana, Social Democrat President as possible counter-candidates for Orban in the upcoming local campaign.