Romanian presidential candidate Ponta promises to stop grain exports from Ukraine - Reuters

Romanian presidential candidate Victor Ponta has stated that if elected, he will stop the export of Ukrainian grain through the country's Black Sea ports in order to protect local farmers, UNN reports, citing Reuters.

Details

The media notes that Romania is to hold repeat presidential elections in May. The Romanian president has a semi-executive role. He chairs a council that decides on military aid and defence spending. The council can also veto EU votes that require unanimity. The policy of 52-year-old Ponta, a former prime minister, is ultra-nationalist.

In recent years, there has been a policy of giving preference to Ukrainian grain in terms of access to port facilities to the detriment of Romanian grain, and this has greatly affected Romanian farmers 

At the same time, the Romanian presidential candidate said that he would support other existing measures to support Ukraine, including the transit of weapons and the training of Ukrainian pilots.

It is worth noting that Romania has helped export approximately 29 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain through its Black Sea port of Constanta in the three years of the full-scale war. It has become a major alternative route for Ukraine.

Other election promises

Among other election promises made by Victor Ponta was an increase in Romania's defence spending to more than 3% of economic output in 2026 (an increase of 2.5% is planned for this year). He added that he would focus on building a flagship military airbase hosting US troops.

The presidential candidate also said that Romania would focus on supporting EU accession for Moldova and the Western Balkans, as well as a strategic partnership with Poland and Turkey, the main military power in the Black Sea.

In addition, Ponta stressed that he would be ready to support Moldova in the event of aggression.

I believe that Romania can support Moldova in the event of aggression. In reality, Romania cannot support another country, be it Ukraine or another. But it has the ability to do so for Moldova 

In conclusion, Ponta assured that he does not support the introduction of civil partnerships for same-sex couples.

Earlier, UNN wrote that on 4 April, the presidential election campaign officially started in Romania. The first round of voting is scheduled for 4 May. According to current polls, George Simion is leading, followed by Victor Ponta, and Nicusor Dan is in the top three.