Elena Lasconi, president of the Save Romania Union (USR), held an emotional press conference after the USR took second place in the first round of the 2024 presidential elections. In his speech, Lasconi emphasized the seriousness of the current political situation and highlighted the fundamental differences between the visions of the USR and candidate Călin Georgescu.
"We are facing a danger that few thought possible. We found ourselves in a historical confrontation between the past and the future, between the preservation of Romania's young democracy and Putinism, between the love of country and those who want to return Romania to Russia's zone of influence," said Lasconi.
Elena Lasconi emphasized that Georgescu, an open supporter of Vladimir Putin, is against NATO and the European Union, promoting a national-Ceausist discourse and proposing the isolation of Romania under the pretext of neutrality.
"He wants to destroy everything on which our prosperity is based. Without NATO, we are at the mercy of Russia," added the USR president, highlighting the risks associated with such a political orientation.
Elena Lasconi thanked the USR supporters, addressing those who felt underestimated or were told that they could not succeed: "For all the Romanians who have ever been underestimated, this result is yours, for all the Romanians who were told that it can't be, this result is yours." She reaffirmed that their vote was not for her personally, but for a better future of the country.
In her speech, Elena Lasconi emphasized the major change in the Romanian political landscape: "For the first time since the Revolution, the PSD and PNL system parties have no representatives in the final battle for the presidency of Romania. The vote of the Romanians was a reproach for a way of doing politics. A vote of protest and exasperation."
Elena Lasconi called for the unification of the reformist forces around the USR, emphasizing the importance of unity to counteract negative external influences: "If all the reformist forces gather around the USR, next Sunday we have the chance to demonstrate that we are stronger than what is dreamed of in Moscow. " She promised that USR will make efforts to leave political pride aside and to propose common solutions to the identified threats.
Elena Lasconi recognized USR's imperfections, but reaffirmed the party's commitment to the values of the 1989 Revolution: "USR is not perfect and I know that very well. But he never betrayed the values of the Revolution of 1989. Independence from Russia and the European path were our dream in 1989 and it is the dream we must defend."
In conclusion, Lasconi urged Romanians to turn anger into hope and to participate in the following stages of the electoral process: "Let's turn anger into hope. Hope is the one that takes us forward."
Elena Lasconi thanked those who voted for Georgescu, clarifying to them that many were not fully aware of his real positions: "Many of you did not know about Georgescu's Putinism, that he is anti-NATO and the EU, that he wants a Ceausist isolation which before 1989 brought us cold and poverty."
Elena Lasconi concluded by inviting USR supporters to participate again in the votes of December 1 and 8, reaffirming her commitment to a democratic and European future for Romania.
