Catalin Drula launches bid for Bucharest Mayor, champions 'honest path' paved by Nicusor Dan
Deputy Catalin Drula from the Save Romania Union (USR) launched on Sunday his candidacy for the capital's mayor with a slogan similar to the one that shaped Nicusor Dan's presidential campaign. The December 7 elections - Drula said - are the choice between continuing the 'honest path' paved by Nicusor Dan, and leaving Bucharest in the hands of 'influence-peddling groups' that have brought the city into a 'critical state of decapitalization'.
'We are holding elections for a new mayor of Bucharest on December 7, but more importantly, the choice we have to make on December 7 will be between continuing along the honest path paved by Nicusor Dan, and leaving Bucharest again in the hands of those influence-peddling groups that, unfortunately, also swarm around the political parties and that have brought this city into a critical state of decapitalization,' Drula said.
He added that the citizens are wondering if there is still room in society or in the administration for honesty.
'And I want to tell you that 'Yes, there is'. And we have examples. We have the example of Nicusor Dan's term at the City Hall, which meant that he stood firm in the face of the real estate mafia, that he cleaned up the City Hall from a fiscal point of view, that - from the regrettably insufficient resources of the Bucharest City Hall - he invested in really important projects, that is in district heating pipes, in public transport, in projects that matter for the city,' Drula explained.
He also spoke about several aspects of his program, starting from transportation, public spaces, safety, urban planning, and ending with sports and culture, mentioning that he will have discussions with Bucharest residents in the coming weeks, in which he will detail these topics.
The candidate criticized the diversion of Bucharest residents' money - collected through taxes and fees - toward secondary administrative units like the city's sectors and Ilfov County, arguing that this leaves the Capital City Hall without sufficient resources for its own projects.
In his opinion, the local referendum held on November 24, 2024 highlights 'a very simple thing', namely that a single metropolitan budget is needed, and the sector budgets should be put together only after that.
He stressed that the fact that a significant portion of Bucharest's local tax revenue no longer goes to the Capital City Hall, but is redirected to the sectors, is the deliberate result of political decisions meant to weaken the General Mayor - especially during Nicusor Dan's term - and this undermines the city's ability to meet its real needs. He made it clear that this has to change.
The event launching Catalin Drula's candidacy for Bucharest Mayor was also attended by President Nicusor Dan. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Marinela Brumar; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)
The content of the www.agerpres.ro website has the exclusive purpose of public informing.
All the information published on this website by AGERPRES is protected by relevant legal dispositions.
It is forbidden to copy, reproduce, recompile, decompile, distribute, publish, display, modify, create derived components or products or full services, as well as any exploitation of the site's content.
Details in the section Terms of Use. If you are interested in picking up AGERPRES news items, please contact the Marketing Department – marketing@agerpres.ro.
The use of the Comments section entails your obligation to respect the AGERPRES terms and conditions in regards to the publishing of comments on the www.agerpres.ro.
Other news in category
Liberal Robert Sighiartau: PNL maintains decision not to form an alliance with PSD
Liberal deputy Robert Sighiartau announced on Tuesday that the National Liberal Party's National Political Bureau decided not to form a new governing alliance with the Social Democratic Party (PSD). 'PNL has voted again. By a large majority, the decision was maintained that PNL will no longer form an alliance with PSD,' he wrote on Facebook.
Screenings in 13 cities as part of European Film Festival, now in its 30th edition
The European Film Festival (EFF), now in its 30th edition and the most extensive to date, brings screenings to 13 cities across the country, where the Europe Day is celebrated with 'cinema without borders.' In Botosani, Iasi and Braila, 20 screenings have already taken place, drawing 1,100 spectators. Film screenings will also be held in
MEP Victor Negrescu: Right-wing forces must return quickly and maturely to the negotiating table
The only viable direction for Romania is the quick formation of a pro-Western government with an ambitious mandate built on substantial reforms, economic performance and real measures of social equity, Social Democrat MEP Victor Negrescu said on Tuesday, urging right-wing political forces to show responsibility and return quickly and maturely to the negotiating table.
Prunariu at 45 years since his spaceflight: Romania is ESA's 'black sheep' after twice missing contributions
Former cosmonaut Dumitru Prunariu spoke on Tuesday, at an event marking 45 years since his space flight, about the chances of another Romanian leaving Earth's orbit in the near future. He noted that Romania twice failed, for extended periods, to pay its contribution to the European Space Agency (ESA), becoming a 'black sheep' within the organisation.
Three Iasi Technical University teams to compete in EMEA stage of NXP Cup in Milan
Three student teams from the Faculty of Automation and Computers of the 'Gheorghe Asachi' Technical University of Iasi (TUIASI) will take part from May 6 to 8 in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) stage of the international NXP Cup competition, hosted at NXP's headquarters in Milan, Italy. The NXP Cup is one of the most prestigious internati
USR's Fritz: We'll not allow PSD, AUR take Romania back into the past
Save Romania Union (USR) ministers will continue their activity until the day a new government is appointed, Save Romania Union leader Dominic Fritz announced on Tuesday. In a post on Facebook, he said that the motion of censure passed, but that USR will not allow 'PSD [Social Democratic Party] and AUR [Alliance for the Union of Romanians] to take Romania
PSD's Grindeanu: Motion of censure was adopted with a record number of votes
Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Sorin Grindeanu said on Tuesday that the motion of censure against the Government led by Ilie Bolojan was adopted with a record number of votes and underscored that the parties which were part of the governing coalition must build a new majority. 'I believe we must all together build a majority. The vote on this motion
Parliament adopts no-confidence motion
The no-confidence motion initiated by MPs from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and PACE - Intai Romania (PEACE - Romania First) against the Government led by Liberal Ilie Bolojan was adopted by Parliament on Tuesday. A total of 281 votes were cast in favour, four votes against, while three votes were invalid.
Parliament-motion/Vote on censure motion concludes
Senators and deputies concluded on Tuesday the vote on the motion of censure initiated by the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) and PACE - Romania First against the Government led by Ilie Bolojan The motion of censure, called 'STOP to 'Bolojan Plan' to destroy the economy, impoverish the population and fra
Politehnica Bucharest to host SpaceFEST new edition bringing famed astronauts
Politehnica Bucharest National University of Science and Technology , through the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, in partnership with the Romanian Space Agency and the European Space Agency, will organise from 7 to 9 May the fourth edition of SpaceFEST, the largest festival dedicated to space exploration in Central and Eastern Europe. According to a press re
Parliament: Joint sitting for debate and voting on motion of censure against Bolojan Cabinet begins
The Senate and the Chamber of Deputies met on Tuesday in a joint sitting to debate and vote on the motion of censure against the Government led by Liberal Ilie Bolojan. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and members of the Cabinet are attending the joint sitting. The joint plenary sitting is chaired by President of the Senate Mircea Abrudean, who annou
Minister Dragos Pislaru announces analysis of payment request no. 4 has been completed, in Brussels
Minister of Investments and European Projects, Dragos Pislaru, announced on Monday that the analysis of payment request no. 4 has been completed and that no problems have been identified. He stated that on Monday morning he had a meeting in Brussels with the General Director of SG REFORM, Celine Gauer. 'We have confirmation that the analyses
President Dan decorates Steaua Bucharest team who win European Champions Cup in 1986
President Nicusor Dan signed on Monday the decree decorating the football players and coaches who, 40 years ago, on May 7, 1986, won the European Champions Cup in Seville. According to the Presidential Administration, wishing to pay tribute to the members of the football team of the 'Steaua' Army Sports Club, who, by achieving one of the greatest perfo
USR's Fritz: Minority government is a realistic, healthy option
Chairman of the Save Romania Union (USR) Dominic Fritz said on Monday that the no-confidence motion may not gather enough votes to pass, adding that a minority government is a 'realistic' and 'healthy' option, and that USR is not afraid of early elections or switching to the opposition. 'USR is prepared to continue working in the ministries
President Dan says Romania will stay on Western path regardless of censure-motion result
President Nicusor Dan said on Monday that Romania will maintain its Western direction regardless of the outcome of the vote on the censure motion scheduled for Tuesday.