President Nicusor Dan: The priority is a majority government and fiscal reform

Nicusor Dan was sworn in on Monday and officially began his term as President of Romania.

After the solemn sitting of Parliament, he answered journalists' questions, who asked him to elaborate on the priorities outlined in his first speech as head of state.

Reporter: Petruta Obrejan - "Romania needs a government backed by a parliamentary majority, as this would provide stability, predictability and state institutions could borrow more cheaply than they do at present", said the new president, Nicusor Dan, after his inauguration.

As for the Social Democrats' participation in government, he believes that the national interest must come first, as Romania's immediate future is at stake, not the past.

Nicusor Dan: The urgency is to have a government with a parliamentary majority that will take on fiscal reform measures.

According to the new president, fiscal reforms are inevitable and mandatory, and as for the possibility that Romania's payments from the cohesion program and the NRRP will be suspended if measures are not taken by June 4, Nicusor Dan said that there are discussions with the European Commission and that he is optimistic.

Nicusor Dan: I am very, very optimistic that the people there will give credit to the new power in Bucharest, because you cannot do in a few days what has not been done in a few years. As far as European funds are concerned, the discussion is remote. The problem is our credibility on the financial markets and in the investment area. The problem is the high interest rate we are paying at the moment. And what we have to do is to give a plan, as I said, 2025-2026, from which the deficit reduction will result and also give a stability plan.

Asked if he will attend government meetings when needed, the new president answered in the affirmative, convinced that there will be a very good collaboration with the new cabinet.

Translated by: Radu Matei