Romania President hails Senate speaker's decision to withdraw from Supreme Defense Council

Romanian President Traian Basescu said on Tuesday he welcomed an announcement made on Sunday by Senate speaker Mircea Geoana, who heads the Social Democratic Party (PSD), to withdraw from the Romanian Supreme Defense Council (CSAT). Geoana had said he would withdraw from CSAT because he would not associate with how Basescu was „using” the Army in his political purposes.

President Basescu recalled Mircea Geoana’s announcement contradicted his previously shown will to force the inclusion of the Senate speaker as a member of CSAT, when negotiations were taking place on the formation of a coalition government half a year ago.

This is a „radical change” as compared to six month ago, Basescu said, adding he was cautious about Geoana’s responsibility in making public statements.