Iulian Dumitrescu, prosecuted by the DNA for corruption, submitted his candidacy for a new mandate. PNL Prahova’s reaction

The president of PNL Prahova, Iulian Dumitrescu, indicted for corruption and banned from exercising the position of president of the Prahova County Council, submitted, on Wednesday, his signatures and the candidacy file for a second mandate as president of the County Council. PNL Prahova conveys that Dumitrescu decided to run because “local elected officials requested” him to do so.

By the Observator editorial team on 24.04.2024, 18:01

Iulian Dumitrescu claims that he decided to run for a new mandate out of “respect for the people of Prague”. He is being prosecuted under judicial control by the DNA for allegedly receiving a bribe of 16 million lei out of 47 million requested for a contract with public money.

“It was not an easy decision, but, out of respect for the citizens of Prahov and for the local elected officials, I decided to run for a new mandate and to provide continuity at the level of the County Council. Together with these people – mayors, vice mayors, local and county councilors – , we managed to do in 3 years in Prahova what was not done in 30 years before”, stated Iulian Dumitrescu in a press release.

What PNL says about Iulian Dumitrescu’s decision

Moreover, the PNL claims that Dumitrescu’s decision to run again “was taken following discussions with the mayors and other local elected officials who asked Dumitrescu for continuity at the level of the county administration in the context of projects worth over three billion euros from European funds that CJ Prahova managed to attract in his mandate”.

Regarding the criminal case in which he is charged for corruption, Iulian Dumitrescu maintains that he is innocent and that “he has the legal and constitutional right to run for office, he collaborates with the criminal investigation institutions, he considers himself innocent and expects a solution as soon as possible from the Justice”, the PNL press release states.

“I am entering the electoral competition as a man, openly and confidently, with the determination of a man who has been through the storm and with the conviction that I have the duty to complete projects that are so necessary for the citizens of Prahoven to have a better life. In relation to the criminal case in which I was involved, I want to tell the citizens clearly: I am innocent, I trust the Justice, I know that the truth will come out and that justice will be done”, says Iulian Dumitrescu.

He accuses PSD Prahova of “colossal” pressure on him. “A series of mayors from the county were threatened, defamed and an attempt was made to block investments from the localities they lead. The goal was to force the mayors to switch to the PSD, which held Prahova in place for 30 years. If there weren’t these mafia-type attacks on the county mayors, I probably wouldn’t be a candidate anymore. But I have the obligation to be in solidarity with the mayors and I guarantee that the projects started in Prahova will be completed , local and county councilors, PNL candidates, we will do everything possible so that the mafia of the Cosma clan does not return to the decision buttons”, adds Dumitrescu.

Liberals Mihai Chirica and Costel Alexe are also running for the 2024 local elections

Mihai Chirica, sent to court in three cases for various acts of corruption, is in the race for the mayor’s office of Iasi. Among other things, he is accused of having illegally issued several building permits, the beneficiary of which was a well-known businessman from Ieși. The head of the Iasi County Council, Costel Alexe, will also run for a new mandate, sent to court by the DNA, after allegedly receiving 22 tons of tin as a bribe from a company in Galati.