Pro Romania's Ponta accuses Speaker Dragnea of high treason because of offshore law

Chairman of the Pro Romania Party Victor Ponta says that Romania will lose 10 billion US dollars in royalties and fees through the draft of the offshore law adopted in the Senate, and that the Social Democratic Party (PSD) deputies who will vote it are "accomplices" of Liviu Dragnea, who would stand guilty of "high treason."

"What Dragnea is doing is high treason, but he will have many accomplices in the Deputies' Chamber when voting, I am sure that those belonging to the UDMR [the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania] will vote for it. Those belonging to the PSD, who will vote for it are accomplices and now I know what it's all about," Ponta stated.

He said that, after the Senate amendments, carried out by the Social-Democrats, at "Liviu Dragnea's order," including the companies that have drilling platforms in the Black Sea, will currently pay less.

"Firstly, what was voted yesterday [on Monday] and will arrive to the Deputies' Chamber, compared to the calculations presented by Liviu Dragnea on television, the new draft, stipulates 10 billion US dollars less fees and royalties against what he presented. Secondly, for those exploitations, investments are to be made and probably, in 2023 at the latest, gas will be extracted and fees will be paid, fees that have been cut by 40 percent. In the Black Sea, there have been, for over 20 years, working platforms, Petrom platforms, the law is to be enforced and they, too will be exempted, all the investments will also be deducted for the current ones. Which means, exactly just like Yerevan radio - that they won't pay more, but less," Ponta stated.

He believes that "the most serious thing is the rush to adopt this law." 

"The third most serious thing (...) in secrecy, a tender was put up for who has the gas transmission capacity and two companies of Hungary won, legitimately supported by Viktor Orban. The contract stipulates that if, until 31 December, the two companies of Hungary don't have gas acquisition contracts, they lose their right and a new tender is to be held. Dragnea rushes the law so that the two companies of Hungary lose that right, probably he made a promise to Viktor Orban," Pro Romania Chairman Ponta stated. 

He called for the PSD deputies "not to vote for the law in a hurry and wait for impact studies, debates and transmission negotiations, but also for some classified pieces of information which only the Gov't is entitled to." 

The draft law regarding some necessary measures for implementing the oil operations by the holders of the agreements regarding the offshore oil perimeters was adopted on Monday, by the Senate, as the first notified Chamber.

The normative act had been sent for re-examination by President Klaus Iohannis.

The founder of the Pro Romania Party, Victor Ponta, participated on Tuesday in Buzau in a regional meeting with several dozen members and followers from four countries.