“It harmed me very much, because if on May 7 I was still (...) not just the youngest social-democrat prime minister, but I was well acquainted, well connected, my colleagues, starting with the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz and all the others, of course after that occurrence during the spring, I have had a lot to lose. I am left with scars. The wound healed - like the plagiarism issue - but the scar will be there forever, in 10 years in 20 years from now”, the Premier stated according to adevarul .ro”
Now, the head of the Government believes that, although internally he would benefit in terms of popularity after a further suspension of the president, that would do more harm to Romania.
“ I you ask me whether I would do the same with the good sense I am having now, I would definitely answer you in one way, which I believe comprises the answer too. The moment where, without putting aside the personal resentment I held against Mr. Basescu, I agreed to sign that institutional collaboration agreement, it meant that I had realized that I could bear to live one and half year more with Mr. Basescu, because the price Romania – not me personally, because personally I could become more popular if I started suspending Mr. Basecu tomorrow, I would definitely be more popular than now, when I am being accused of having made peace with the president – but the price for Romania is so great (...) we could not afford it ”, Ponta stated.
Victor Ponta also stated he regretted the fact that the 50% threshold needed for validation was not reached during the referendum.