Former President Ion Iliescu accuses "an act of media war on him"

Former President Ion Iliescu, honorary president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), accused on Monday "an act of media war on him", given that the central press in Bucharest published a statement of his quoted by the French newspaper Le Figaro, which he says is not true. 

"I read with amazement mixed with disgust a sort of compilation about PSD and about the political situation in Romania, in Le Figaro." Amazement, because Le Figaro has always been a solid newspaper that practices quality journalism. Disgust because I am quoted with things I have never said to Le Figaro or to anyone else. Everyone is free to believe whatever they want about PSD, about the political situation in Romania, about the post-December history, but I cannot accept to be involved in absurd political battles for power, without any stakes for PSD or Romania. The reality presented in the article is a caricature, and the statements attributed to me are part of this political battle. It is not my intention to participate in such a thing. PSD is a mature and responsible party that will solve its problems according to its status and the laws of the country," Ion Iliescu said on his personal blog. 

The former president added that, lately, he has chosen to be as little involved as possible in the political life of the PSD and of Romania and says that Le Figaro owes an apology and rectification of his so-called affirmations. 

"And when I have something to say to PSD, I will do it directly without the media, either Romanian or foreign. I do not think we have fake news here, but an act of media war. Which I find equally unacceptable as attributing me allegations that are not mine. I regret press stoops so low. It seems to me that the journal owes me apologies and the correction of those statements," said Ion Iliescu. 

According to the Romanian press quoting Le Figaro, Ion Iliescu allegedly said that "it is a difficult and confusing period for PSD, which is experiencing its worst political crisis."