PM Ponta warns against unrealistic expectations on Swiss franc crisis

Prime Minister Victor Ponta, the Chair of the Social Democrat Party (PSD), wants parliamentary parties to find common solutions to the issues raised by the Swiss franc crisis; he warns, however, against 'unrealistic expectations.'

Photo credit: (c) LIVIU SOVA/AGERPRES FLOW
He confirmed the invitation to the main Opposition party, the National Liberal Party (PNL) to discuss the matter, and announced he will also invite the other parliamentary forces. Liberals did not answer yet.

'There is no solution from a single party [to the Swiss franc crisis]; there's only the possibility discussed with the National Bank [BNR, Romania's central bank], with the central banks and the parliamentary groups, to see what legislative measures can be taken. Nevertheless, I want to launch a call ? we're talking about 75,000 people. Surely, if something can be done to support them or the Finance minister will discuss with the National Bank several possibilities ? but I also want it, at least I assume this ? I want us not to sell illusions. I want us not to create unrealistic expectations. I have seen a very demagogical point of view, which is inapplicable in a democratic society; I think it was Mr. [Liberal vice chair Catalin] Predoiu's. Let's have this talk and see what and to what extent we can support when financial crises occur. But that's not something pertaining to one party or one government; we're talking about a market economy and about various public and private institutions that have responsibilities,' Ponta said on Monday in a press conference at PSD's headquarters.

The Swiss franc continued its appreciation against the Romanian leu on Monday; BNR calculated an exchange rate of 4.4716 lei / franc, 0.0488 lei (1.1 percent up from Friday's rate of 4...