Ciolos: Party credibility is more than a function of leaders' speech

Credibility of political parties is more than just a function of their leaders' speech, as it is also a function of the programmes they advance and the names of candidates on their tickets, Ciolos told AGERPRES in a recent interview. 

He says he is convinced that the younger generations can change mentalities. 

''It is a good thing that they are all over the social media, in the public space generally speaking. I believe this new, younger generation who wants a change for Romania is increasingly more assertive about their wish, in an active manner. I would like to see more and more of these people running on the tickets of political parties, which, I believe, should understand, even at the eleventh hour, that their credibility is not just a function of the speeches of political leaders, but also a function of the programmes they advance and especially of their tickets for elections. So, I am encouraging them, and I can assure them that I am not indifferent to what happens in Romania or what will happen in Romania next. On the other hand, I believe a statesman should be consistent with himself and not lie,'' says Ciolos. 

Ciolos also have answers to those reproaching him on social media of not running in this autumn's general election: "I believe Romania needs a change in its doing politics. Such change cannot be made by one man alone, and what it entails is the people wanting the change getting personally involved. I took responsibility for that and got personally involved as early as last November, by taking up the office of the prime minister. I said back then that I will not run in the general election, precisely in order to preserve credibility in the balanced approach by the incumbent Cabinet. That does not mean I am not interested in what will happen at this election, and that is why I am urging all those wanting a change in Romania to do it," adds Ciolos.