Sides are nor clearly outlined, tough negotiations are underway behind closed doors, and a prediction is really hard to make for the time being. The Social Democrats’ congress will be held on February the 20th, and will definitely clear the situation of the party, as the congress will establish the program and elect the leading board. Until then, the Social Democrats must brazen out any attempt to destabilize the party, Mircea Geoana warned.

As for the Liberal Democratic Party, the ruling party that supported the incumbent head of state, no looming tension or opposing sides have been reported, the Liberal Democrats said. There are, however, new and interesting ideas brought in by the freshly enlisted Cristian Preda, professor or political science and Euro-parliamentarian, and former Justice Minister Monica Macovei. The two recommended a clarification of the Liberal Democrats’ doctrine, a change in the staff promotion policy, favoring competence criteria and deterring the promotion of cronies, as well as the improvement of the party’s relationship with civil society. Changing the party’s name into the People’s Party has also been taken into account, to bring the Romanian party in line with the European political family the Liberal Democrats belong to.

Cristian Preda and one of his colleagues, journalist Sever Voinescu were upbeat about starting discussions on such topics. Preda and Voinescu had criticized the Liberal Democrats’ doctrine ambiguities, as well as the way party members were promoted. The National Liberal Party (in opposition) decided to hold a special congress in March, earlier than initially scheduled. Liberal leader Crin Antonescu said the party needed a debate on its future policy, after the presidential candidate it supported in the runoff, Social Democrat Mircea Geoana had been defeated, and the National Liberal Party had refused to join the winning Liberal Democratic Party in the government coalition. Fellow party members were soft-spoken about blaming Antonescu for leaving the National Liberal Party in opposition. Setting the congress date earlier that initially scheduled might be viewed as a move to talk prospective challengers out of preparing their opposition.