Romania's PSD demands PNL suspend Bucharest mayor Ciprian Ciucu after bribery charge, threatens protest call
Romania's Social Democratic Party (PSD) has called on the National Liberal Party (PNL) to immediately withdraw political support for Bucharest General Mayor Ciprian Ciucu after he was placed under judicial control on bribery charges, and threatened to mobilise public protests if he refuses to resign.
The PSD ultimatum
Romania's Social Democratic Party (PSD) issued a sharp statement on Thursday, 18 June 2026, demanding that the National Liberal Party (PNL) immediately suspend Ciprian Ciucu from all party functions and withdraw political support for his role as General Mayor of Bucharest. Ciucu, who also serves as first vice-president of the PNL, was placed under judicial control by the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) on charges of accepting bribes.
The PSD framed its demand as a test of the PNL's consistency on integrity standards. The party pointed to years of what it called the PNL's own pro-justice and anti-corruption campaigning, arguing that the liberals must now apply the same principles to one of their own senior figures.
PSD calls on the PNL leadership to apply, in the case of liberal first vice-president Ciprian Ciucu, the same integrity principles it has demanded over time from other parties whose representatives were accused of corruption.
The four-point demand
In its press release, the PSD listed four specific actions it expects the PNL and Ciucu to take. First, the party must refrain from commenting on the magistrates' decisions, even if it considers them unjustified, as any such commentary would constitute political pressure on the judiciary.
Second, Ciucu should not invoke the presumption of innocence guaranteed by the Romanian Constitution. The PSD argued this presumption cannot justify keeping someone accused of corruption in public office. Third, the party called for a reversal of the burden of proof, demanding that Ciucu demonstrate his own innocence regarding the bribery allegations.
Fourth and most pointedly, the PSD stated that if Ciucu refuses to resign as General Mayor, the PNL must call on Bucharest residents to protest and demand that the mayor step down.
Stepping back to protect institutions
The PSD also addressed Ciucu directly, urging him to apply to himself the standard he had previously demanded of others in similar situations. The party said the mayor should step back from public office so that the corruption accusations do not damage the image of the institution he represents.
The mayor must step back from the public office so that the corruption acts he is accused of do not affect the image of the institution he represents.
The PSD added that if Ciucu is eventually acquitted by a final and irrevocable court decision, he may return to politics at that point.
Call to civil society
Beyond the PNL leadership, the PSD also directed its appeal to non-governmental organisations that have actively campaigned against corruption. The party asked those NGOs to act with the same energy in publicly condemning Mayor Ciucu, even before a final court ruling is issued.
The PSD described such measures as necessary to maintain public trust in the administration and in the political class as a whole. The party argued that in situations like this, political formations must act consistently and avoid a double standard when applying integrity principles.
