Deputy Prime Minister Oana Gheorghiu told the PNL Extraordinary Congress that she chose to join the party after years of activity in civil society, convinced she could work as part of Ilie Bolojan's team.

Gheorghiu opened with pointed self-irony, introducing herself as someone from the 'NGO world, the Soros-ist, neo-Marxist system' who supposedly came to 'take over PNL' - a jab at public accusations directed at her.

She then shifted to substance: 'I'm a fighter. I fight for values and principles and I don't run from hard decisions. I chose to stand with you now, when it's difficult, not when it was easy.'

Gheorghiu said she long believed she could help Romania from outside politics, through civic projects and street protests 'for a blindfolded justice, not one delivering files on command'. She accepted government office - she said - to support Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan's reform agenda, describing him as 'an honest man who proves himself through results'.

She argued that, once in office, she found state-owned companies turned into 'political piggy banks', and that attempts to close off patronage networks triggered backlash: 'You know what happens when you turn on the light - those who thrived in the dark wake up'. She said efforts to stop abuses were met with accusations, blacklists and smear campaigns, but insisted none of this intimidates her, as power must be exercised 'with decency, responsibility and respect'.

Oana Gheorghiu urged PNL to remain a party that dares, not one that surrenders, framing the choice in civic rather than personal terms: 'This is not about positions or egos, but about a simple question: what kind of country do we leave our children? One they flee, or one they choose to stay in?'

Gheorghiu is in the race for a PNL Deputy Chair position, as part of Ilie Bolojan's team. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Loredana Ciobanu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)