PSD leaders ‘disappointed’ at Adrian Năstase verdict

The President of the Social Democratic Party, Victor Ponta, said that no analysis was required within the party regarding the situation of Adrian Năstase and the position of PSD in this case.

PSD President Victor Ponta said that he was ‘disappointed’ by the verdict passed in the ‘Quality Trophy’ file involving former prime minister Adrian Năstase and he is convinced that the Adrian Năstase will appeal against it and ‘he will be able to prove his innocence’.

‘Personally, I am disappointed at the verdict. I am familiar with the case and I know how much political pressure was made so that it came to court. I am convinced that Mr. Năstase will appeal against the verdict and he will be able to prove his innocence.’

‘Until a final verdict is delivered, I will not make any further comments. And I think it is not appropriate for us, politicians, to comment too much on the subject before the verdict is final’, Victor Ponta said.

The PSD president said that no analysis was required within the party regarding the situation of Adrian Năstase and the position of PSD in this case.

Also the Secretary General of PSD, Liviu Dragnea, said that he was disappointed and affected by the verdict given in Adrian Năstase’s case. However, he hopes that the latter will prove his innocence.

‘This has nothing to do with PSD, Adrian Năstase will hold the same position in the party. I am very disappointed and affected and I hope with all my heart he will appeal against the verdict to prove his innocence.’

‘I was convinced that he would be acquitted. Adrian Năstase remains the same political leader’, PSD Secretary General said.

A few days ago, the leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Crin Antonescu, declared on the national television channel that if Adrian Năstase were found guilty, he should ‘step away from the political scene’.

Former prime minister Adrian Năstase, who is currently holding the position of President of the National Council of PSD, has been sentenced to two years imprisonment by the High Court of Cassation and Justice, in the ‘Quality Trophy’ file.

The decision may be appealed against in court.

Adrian Năstase was charged in January 2009 for using his influence to obtain money, goods or other benefits.

According to the indictment, in 2004 the State Construction Inspectorate, led by Irina Jianu, ‘organised a symposium entitled “Quality In Construction Trophy”’.

‘In reality, the symposium was just a diversion for collecting money for the presidential campaign of defendant Adrian Năstase’, the Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) stated.

Translated by: Denisse-Meda Bucura
MA Student, MTTLC, Bucharest University