Chairman of the Arad branch of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), MP Mihai Fifor, voiced hope on Thursday that politicians will not be 'so immature' as to leave the outcome of the May 18 election to chance, saying that 'turning aside is perhaps the most toxic and cowardly option.'

The Social Democrat leader from Arad shared his opinion in a Facebook post titled 'Now or Never!'.

'I still hope we won't be so politically immature as to leave to chance what will happen on Sunday, May 18. Turning aside is perhaps the most toxic and cowardly option the Romanian political class could adopt. No, this time, time alone won't solve anything, no matter how much some may want to fool themselves with that illusion. This time, accountability is needed. Clear positions. Unequivocal voices. Leaders who step up and send a clear message to those who still believe in us: the danger is real! After 35 years, Romania risks veering off its natural path, sliding back to the East, toward autocracy, toward a dictatorship of imposture, toward a model of society where lack of value becomes the rule and merit is trampled,' the MP said.

Fifor stresses that 'everyone is free to choose their future,' but added that 'this makes the May 18 vote all the more essential.'

'We, who have been entrusted by the public, have a moral obligation not to hide behind convenient silences or petty calculations. There's no more room for behind-the-scenes strategies. No more time for ambiguity. We are at the most complex moment in our post-1989 history. And it's time to rise to the occasion. People must understand that after May 19, it may be too late. Romania must not be handed over to those we rose against in the streets in 1989. Romania must not be pulled back from its European and transatlantic path. We cannot afford a return to the darkness of history - to the years of Bolshevism, political purges, fear, and light that had to come from the East,' Fifor said.

At the end of his post, the MP stated that it is up to each politician whether they hide 'in cowardice' or stand up in front of those who trusted them.

'Now it is no longer about electoral calculations. Now it is no longer about opportunistic politics. Now it is about patriotism. About the much-invoked and too-little-practiced love of country. Because it's now or never! Honour and Homeland!,' concluded the PSD Arad leader. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Marian Buga; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)