Ludovic Orban
{{Short description|Prime Minister of Romania from 2019 to 2020}}
{{use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ludovic Orban
| image = Ludovic-Orban (cropped).jpg
| office = Prime Minister of Romania
| president = Klaus Iohannis
| deputy = Raluca Turcan
| term_start = 4 November 2019
| term_end = 7 December 2020
| predecessor = Viorica Dăncilă
| successor = Florin Cîțu
| office1 = President of the Chamber of Deputies
| term_start1 = 22 December 2020
| term_end1 = 13 October 2021
| predecessor1 = Marcel Ciolacu
| successor1 = Marcel Ciolacu
| office2 = President of the National Liberal Party
| term_start2 = 17 June 2017
| term_end2 = 25 September 2021
| predecessor2 = Alina Gorghiu
| successor2 = Florin Cîțu
| office3 = President of the Force of the Right
| term_start3 = 14 December 2021
| term_end3 =
| predecessor3 = Office established
| successor3 =
| office4 = Minister of Transport
| primeminister4 = Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu
| term_start4 = 5 April 2007
| term_end4 = 22 December 2008
| predecessor4 = Radu Berceanu
| successor4 = Radu Berceanu
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|last=yes|Parliamentary offices
|titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
| office5 = Member of the Chamber of Deputies
| term_start5 = 20 December 2020
| term_end5 = 20 December 2024
| constituency5 = Bucharest
| term_start6 = 15 December 2008
| term_end6 = 19 December 2016
| constituency6 = Bucharest{{collapsed infobox section end}}
}}
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|last=yes|Local offices
|titlestyle = border:1px dashed lightgrey;}}{{Infobox officeholder |embed=yes
| office7 = Deputy Mayor of Bucharest
| 1blankname7 = {{nowrap|Mayors}}
| 1namedata7 = Traian Băsescu
Adriean Videanu
| term_start7 = July 2004
| term_end7 = 5 April 2007
| predecessor7 =
| successor7 =
| office8 = Member of the Local Council of Sector 3
| term_start8 = 23 February 1992
| term_end8 = 16 June 1996
| 1blankname8 = {{nowrap|Mayor}}
| 1namedata8 = Constantin Tutunaru{{collapsed infobox section end}}
}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1963|5|25}}
| birth_place = Brașov, Romanian People's Republic
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Force of the Right (FD) (2021–present)
| otherparty = National Liberal Party (PNL) (1998–2021)
Liberal Party 1993 (PL '93) (1993–1997)
| spouse = Mihaela Orban
| children = 1
| education = Transilvania University of Brașov (UNITBV)
National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA)
| blank1 = Religion
| data1 = Unitarian
| caption = Official portrait, 2020
}}
Ludovic Orban ({{IPA|ro|ˈludovik ˈorban}}; born 25 May 1963) is a Romanian engineer and politician who was the prime minister of Romania from November 2019 to December 2020. He was president of the National Liberal Party (PNL) between 2017 and 2021, which expelled him shortly after he lost a bid for another term as its leader. He was also minister of transport from April 2007 to December 2008 in the second Tăriceanu cabinet.
From 2008 to 2016, he was a member of the Chamber of Deputies for Bucharest. He resumed his parliamentary seat within the Chamber of Deputies after the 2020 Romanian legislative election; shortly thereafter, he was elected president of the Chamber of Deputies of Romania. He resigned from this position in October 2021. Two months later, he founded a new centre-right political party, the Force of the Right (FD).
Biography
=Early life and career=
Orban was born in the Transylvanian city of Brașov{{Cite web |url=http://www.ziua.ro/display.php?data=2007-04-03&id=218562 |title=Guvernul cel mai mic |date=2007-04-03 |website=Ziua |language=ro |trans-title=The smallest government |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070518175302/http://www.ziua.ro/display.php?data=2007-04-03&id=218562 |archive-date=2007-05-18 |access-date=2008-02-28}} to an ethnic Hungarian father and an ethnic Romanian mother. He was baptized and confirmed into his father’s Unitarian Church of Transylvania, and speaks Hungarian at a basic level. Between 1948 and 1956, under the early communist regime, the elder Orban was an agent of the Securitate secret police.{{in lang|hu}} Ádám Rebeka Nóra, [https://mandiner.hu/cikk/20191106_kicsoda_ludovic_orban “Magyar felmenők, román identitás – Kicsoda Ludovic Orban?”], Mandiner, November 8, 2019 Orban completed secondary studies at the city's Andrei Șaguna High School in 1982. He then studied industrial machinery design technology at the University of Brașov, graduating in 1988. In 1993, he completed post-graduate studies in political science at the National School of Administration and Political Science of Bucharest.
From 1988 to 1990, a period that spanned the Romanian Revolution, he trained as an engineer at an insulation factory in Târgu Secuiesc. He worked as an engineer at a Brașov factory from 1990 to 1991. From 1991 to 1992, he wrote for the daily Viitorul Românesc, and between 1997 and 2001, he held a series of government and agency positions at the Energy Policy Agency, the Disabled Persons Directorate, the Public Information Department, the National Public Employee Agency and the National Centre for Communications and Public Relations Specialisation. He has also been active in a foundation called "Children, the light of the world" and done consulting work.
===Rise in politics===
File:EPP Summit, Sibiu, May 2019 (47021083044).jpg with in the EPP Summit in Sibiu, 9 May 2019]]
Orban was a Sector 3 local councillor from 1992 to 1996. He was elected a Sector 1 local councillor that year, but resigned. From 1992 to 1997, he was an advisor for the Liberal Party 1993 (PL '93) (belonging to the party's executive committee between 1993 and 1997) and its predecessor PNL-AT, two splinter groups of the main National Liberal Party (PNL) which sided with the Romanian Democratic Convention during the mid- to late-1990s. In 1998, he joined the PNL's national council, after the PL '93 merged into it. From 2001 to 2002, he sat on the PNL's permanent central bureau and, in 2002, joined the party's public administration committee. He headed the Bucharest chapter of the PNL from November 2002 and, from July 2004 to April 2007, was deputy mayor of Bucharest.
He left this office following a cabinet reshuffle, becoming transport minister until his party's loss at the 2008 election,{{Cite web |url=http://documentare.rompres.ro/guverne.php?i=12 |title=Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu Cabinet |website=ROMPRES |language=ro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211045427/http://documentare.rompres.ro/guverne.php?i=12 |archive-date=2007-02-11 |access-date=2020-02-06 }} where he himself won a seat in a Bucharest constituency.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gandul.info/politica/udrea-olteanu-si-orban-au-obtinut-mandate-in-camera-deputatilor-update-5-3594216 |title=Udrea, Olteanu și Orban au obținut mandate în Camera Deputaților |website=Gândul |language=ro |trans-title=Udrea, Olteanu and Orban have won seats in the Chamber of Deputies |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208234001/https://www.gandul.info/alegeri-2008/udrea-olteanu-si-orban-au-obtinut-mandate-in-camera-deputatilor-update-5.html?11666;3594216 |archive-date=2008-12-08 |access-date=2009-02-28}} While minister, he also ran for mayor of Bucharest as part of the 2008 local elections, losing in the first round by finishing in fourth place with 11.4% of the vote.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/rezultate-partiale-bem-oprescu-a-obtinut-30-4-blaga-28-3-2679553 |title=Rezultate parțiale BEM: Oprescu a obținut 30,4%, Blaga 28,3% |date=2008-06-02 |website=Mediafax |language=ro |trans-title=BEM partial results: Oprescu has won 30.4%, Blaga 28.3% |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205231758/https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/rezultate-partiale-bem-oprescu-a-obtinut-30-4-blaga-28-3-2679553 |archive-date=2020-02-05 |access-date=2020-02-06}} In March 2009, concurrent with his ally Crin Antonescu's ascent to the PNL presidency and the sidelining of the Tăriceanu faction, Orban became the party's vice president.{{Cite web |url=http://www.ziua.ro/display.php?data=2009-03-23&id=250928 |title=Crin de Cotroceni |date=2009-03-23 |website=Ziua |language=ro |access-date=2009-05-07}} He ran for the party presidency in December 2014 and was defeated by Alina Gorghiu on a 47–28 vote.{{Cite web |url=https://adevarul.ro/news/politica/update-liberalii-isi-aleg-liderul-Sefia-pnl-disputata-ludovic-orban-alina-gorghiu-1_549297cb448e03c0fdd93897/index.html |title=Alina Gorghiu este noul președinte al PNL. |last1=Marin |first1=Iulia |last2=Bărbulescu |first2=Andreea |date=2014-12-18 |website=Adevărul |language=ro |trans-title=Alina Gorghiu is the new PNL president |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220193523/http://adevarul.ro/news/politica/update-liberalii-isi-aleg-liderul-Sefia-pnl-disputata-ludovic-orban-alina-gorghiu-1_549297cb448e03c0fdd93897/index.html |archive-date=2014-12-20 |access-date=2014-12-18}} Orban was a candidate in the June 2016 race for mayor of Bucharest,{{Cite web |url=https://evz.ro/surse-ludovic-orban-candidatul-pnl-la-capitala.html |title=Ludovic Orban intră în cursa pentru Primăria Capitalei |last=Udrea |first=Andreea |date=2016-02-22 |website=Evenimentul Zilei |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban enters Race for capital's hall |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223014359/https://evz.ro/surse-ludovic-orban-candidatul-pnl-la-capitala.html |archive-date=2016-02-23 |access-date=2016-03-02}} but two months before the election, withdrew from the race as well as from his PNL and Chamber posts after being placed under investigation by the National Anticorruption Directorate.{{Cite web |url=https://evz.ro/ludovic-orban-a-anuntat-pe-facebook-ca-a-fost-chemat-la-dna.html |title=Ludovic Orban renunță la toate funcțiile publice și politice și se retrage din cursa pentru Primăria Capitalei, după ce a fost pus sub control judiciar de procurorii DNA |last1=Romniceanu |first1=Dodo |last2=Chiric |first2=Alexandra |date=2016-04-11 |website=Evenimentul Zilei |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban resigns from all public and political functions and quits race for Bucharest's hall, after being put under judicial review by DNA prosecutors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412195354/http://www.evz.ro/ludovic-orban-a-anuntat-pe-facebook-ca-a-fost-chemat-la-dna.html |archive-date=2016-04-12 |access-date=2016-06-11 }} He was not a candidate in the 2016 parliamentary election.{{Cite web |url=https://inpolitics.ro/ludovic-orban-anunta-ca-nu-mai-candideaza-la-parlament_18434425.html |title=Ludovic Orban anunță că nu mai candidează la parlament |date=2016-09-28 |website=inPolitics.ro |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban announces he will not run for Parliament |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220125858/http://inpolitics.ro/ludovic-orban-anunta-ca-nu-mai-candideaza-la-parlament_18434425.html |archive-date=2016-12-20 |access-date=2016-12-15}} In January 2017, the High Court of Cassation and Justice acquitted him on a charge of influence peddling.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mediafax.ro/social/ludovic-orban-achitat-in-dosarul-privind-banii-pe-care-i-ar-fi-cerut-in-campania-electorala-pentru-alegerile-locale-din-2016-raluca-turcan-ne-bucuram-pentru-achitarea-lui-ludovic-orban-16143964 |title=Ludovic Orban, achitat în dosarul privind banii pe care i-ar fi cerut în campania electorală pentru alegerile locale din 2016 |last=Flutur |first=Firuța |date=2017-01-31 |website=Mediafax |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban, acquitted in the case regarding money he allegedly demanded during the 2016 local election campaign |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131175202/http://www.mediafax.ro/social/ludovic-orban-achitat-in-dosarul-privind-banii-pe-care-i-ar-fi-cerut-in-campania-electorala-pentru-alegerile-locale-din-2016-raluca-turcan-ne-bucuram-pentru-achitarea-lui-ludovic-orban-16143964 |archive-date=2017-01-31 |access-date=2017-02-01}} The following month, he announced his candidacy for the PNL leadership;{{Cite web |url=https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/ludovic-orban-mi-am-depus-candidatura-ferma-la-functia-de-presedinte-pnl-nu-am-nicio-temere-privind-dosarul-16158841 |title=Ludovic Orban: Mi-am depus candidatura fermă la funcția de președinte PNL |last=Mănoiu |first=Cătălina |date=2017-02-13 |website=Mediafax |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban: I have announced my firm candidacy for the PNL presidency |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213124239/http://www.mediafax.ro/politic/ludovic-orban-mi-am-depus-candidatura-ferma-la-functia-de-presedinte-pnl-nu-am-nicio-temere-privind-dosarul-16158841 |archive-date=2017-02-13 |access-date=2017-02-17}} he went on to defeat Cristian Bușoi by a 78–21 margin.{{Cite web |url=https://adevarul.ro/news/politica/congres-pnl-liberalii-isi-aleg-noul-presedinte-partidului-1_59442da75ab6550cb83474d4/index.html |title=Ludovic Orban este noul președinte al PNL, după o victorie zdrobitoare |last1=Eremia |first1=Radu |last2=Popa |first2=Laura Andreea |date=2017-06-17 |website=Adevărul |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban is the new president of PNL, after a crushing victory |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620040239/http://adevarul.ro/news/politica/congres-pnl-liberalii-isi-aleg-noul-presedinte-partidului-1_59442da75ab6550cb83474d4/index.html |archive-date=2017-06-20 |access-date=2017-06-17}}
= Prime minister and split from PNL =
File:6. Bucuresti, Romania. 29 Iulie 2020. Ziua Imnului National. Primul Ministru Orban (2).jpg on 29 July 2020]]
In October 2019, after the fall of Viorica Dăncilă's government, President Klaus Iohannis designated Orban as prime minister.{{Cite web |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/ludovic-orban-prim-ministru-desemnat-klaus-iohannis-a-facut-anuntul-1201378 |title=Ludovic Orban, prim-ministru desemnat. Klaus Iohannis a făcut anunțul |date=2019-10-15 |website=Digi24 |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban, designated prime minister. Klaus Iohannis made the announcement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015142049/https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/ludovic-orban-prim-ministru-desemnat-klaus-iohannis-a-facut-anuntul-1201378 |archive-date=2019-10-15 |access-date=2019-10-15}} His cabinet received parliamentary approval the following month, with 240 lawmakers voting in favor, seven more than required.{{Cite web |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/sedinta-parlament-vot-incredere-ludovic-orban-investire-1211314 |title=Guvernul Orban a trecut de votul Parlamentului. A primit 240 de voturi |date=2019-11-04 |website=Digi24 |language=ro |trans-title=Orban Government approved by Parliament. It received 240 votes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104184729/https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/sedinta-parlament-vot-incredere-ludovic-orban-investire-1211314 |archive-date=2019-11-04 |access-date=2019-11-04}} His government was ousted via a no-confidence motion in February 2020, with 261 lawmakers voting in favor.{{Cite web |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/parlamentul-dezbate-si-voteaza-motiunea-de-cenzura-la-ora-1200-1255249 |title=Moțiunea de cenzură împotriva Guvernului Orban a fost adoptată cu 261 de voturi |date=2020-02-05 |website=Digi24 |language=ro |trans-title=No-confidence motion against Orban Government adopted with 261 votes |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205135946/https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/parlamentul-dezbate-si-voteaza-motiunea-de-cenzura-la-ora-1200-1255249 |archive-date=2020-02-05 |access-date=2020-02-05}}
- {{Cite web |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-s-center-right-government-faces-no-confidence-vote/30418255.html |title=Romanian Government Toppled In No-Confidence Vote |date=2020-02-05 |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205154400/https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-s-center-right-government-faces-no-confidence-vote/30418255.html |archive-date=2020-02-05 |access-date=2020-02-05 |url-status=live}}
- {{Cite web |url=https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/marcel-ciolacu-guvernul-orban-a-fost-demis-cu-261-de-voturi-18797417 |title=Guvernul a fost demis după ce moțiunea de cenzură a fost votată de 261 de parlamentari / Prima reacție a lui Ludovic Orban: Am pierdut doar o bătălie |date=2020-02-05 |website=Mediafax |language=ro |trans-title=The government has been dismissed after the motion of no confidence has been voted by 261 members of parliament / The first reaction of Ludovic Orban: I have lost only one battle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205155349/https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/marcel-ciolacu-guvernul-orban-a-fost-demis-cu-261-de-voturi-18797417 |archive-date=2020-02-05 |access-date=2020-02-05}} The following month, a new Orban-led cabinet received parliamentary approval on a 286–23 vote. Most PNL representatives, including Orban himself, were absent due to suspected exposure to COVID-19. The Social Democrats (PSD) voted in favor of the cabinet, given the emergency circumstances, while pledging concerted opposition. PRO Romania voted against.{{Cite web |url= https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/guvernul-orban-2-a-fost-investit-voturile-psd-au-fost-decisive-masuri-speciale-pentru-depunerea-juramantului-1275448 |title= Guvernul Orban 2 a fost învestit |date=2020-03-14|website=Digi24 |language=ro |trans-title=Second Orban Government Approved}} Orban resigned in December, following the PNL's poor performance at the parliamentary election.{{Cite web |url= https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/ludovic-orban-si-a-dat-demisia-din-fruntea-guvernului-1414065 |title= Ludovic Orban și-a dat demisia din funcția de prim-ministru |date=2020-12-07|website=Digi24 |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban Resigns as Prime Minister}} At the same time, Orban himself won a new term in the Chamber.{{Cite web |url= http://www.cdep.ro/pls/parlam/structura2015.mp?idm=212&cam=2&leg=2020 |title= 2020- parliamentary profile|date=|website=Romanian Chamber of Deputies site |language=ro |trans-title= }} Once the new parliament convened, he was elected its president, defeating his PSD rival by a vote of 179–110.{{Cite web |url= https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/ludovic-orban-vrea-sa-fie-votat-in-aceasta-noapte-sef-al-camerei-presedintele-de-sedinta-de-la-aur-a-inchis-sedinta-si-a-plecat-1422094 |title= Ludovic Orban a fost ales președintele Camerei Deputaților |date=2020-12-22|website=Digi24 |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban Elected President of the Chamber of Deputies}}
In 2021, Orban ran for a new term as PNL president. During the campaign, he staked out a liberal conservative position, emphasizing a commitment to traditional values and rejecting what he termed "neo-Marxist progressivism".{{Cite web |url= https://adevarul.ro/news/politica/orban-apasa-pedala-discursului-conservator-pnl-spun-specialistii-despre-pozitionarile-celor-doi-candidati-sefia-partidului-1_60e322f65163ec4271c7b72f/index.html |title= Orban apasă pedala discursului conservator în PNL |date=2021-07-05|website=Adevărul |language=ro |trans-title=Orban Emphasizes Conservatism of PNL}}
- {{Cite web |url= https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/ludovic-orban-pnl-respinge-toate-curentele-neo-marxist-progresiste-motiunea-mea-este-una-liberal-conservatoare-1639171 |title= Ludovic Orban: 'PNL respinge toate curentele neo-marxist-progresiste. Moţiunea mea este una liberal-conservatoare' |date=2021-08-19|website=Digi24 |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban: 'PNL Rejects All Neo-Marxist-Progressive Currents'}} In September, during a party congress, Orban was defeated by Florin Cîțu on a 2,878–1,898 vote, or around 60%-40%.{{cite web|language=ro|url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/ziua-marii-confruntari-citu-orban-cine-va-castiga-voturile-la-congresul-pnl-1679195|title=Florin Cîțu este noul președinte al PNL. Are aproape 1.000 de voturi în plus față de Ludovic Orban|author=|work=Digi24.ro|date=25 September 2021|accessdate=26 September 2021}} Shortly thereafter, he submitted his resignation as Chamber president to Cîțu.{{cite web |language=ro |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/surse-orban-isi-va-inainta-catre-pnl-demisia-de-la-conducerea-camerei-deputatilor-semnificatia-acestui-gest-politic-1680907 |title=Orban insistă că îi trimite lui Cîțu demisia de la Cameră: Nu vreau să creez șansa să se aleagă Ciolacu sau alt PSD-ist |author=Georgiana Marina |work=Digi24.ro |date=26 September 2021 |accessdate=26 September 2021}} The latter not having taken any action by mid-October, Orban quit by notifying the Chamber secretariat himself.{{cite web |title=Orban: Mi-am depus demisia de la șefia Camerei Deputaților. Gruparea demolatoare cu sprijinul lui Iohannis calcă în picioare democrația |url=https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/orban-mi-am-depus-demisia-de-la-sefia-camerei-deputatilor-gruparea-demolatoare-cu-sprijinul-lui-iohannis-calca-in-picioare-democratia-1699603 |website=Digi24 |date=13 October 2021 |language=ro |access-date=13 October 2021}} In November, the PNL leadership expelled Orban from the party.{{cite web |title= Biroul Executiv al PNL a votat excluderea lui Ludovic Orban din partid |url= https://www.digi24.ro/stiri/actualitate/politica/surse-biroul-executiv-al-pnl-a-decis-excluderea-lui-ludovic-orban-din-partid-1733685 |website=Digi24 |date=12 November 2021 |language=ro |access-date=14 November 2021}} The following month, he founded a new centre-right party, Force of the Right (FD).{{cite web |title= Ludovic Orban anunță înființarea unui nou partid de centru-dreapta Forța Dreptei |url= https://www.g4media.ro/ultima-ora-ludovic-orban-anunta-infiintarea-unui-nou-partid-de-centru-dreapta-forta-dreptei.html |website=G4Media |date=14 December 2021 |language=ro |access-date=14 December 2021}}
Controversies
Orban is a somewhat controversial figure, known for his provocative declarations. A fierce critic of the former president, Traian Băsescu, he called him an "imbecile" for referring to the "imbecile" attitude of a minister during summer 2008 floods,{{Cite web|url=https://www.gandul.info/politica/ludovic-orban-il-face-imbecil-pe-seful-statului-2868170 |title=Ludovic Orban îl face imbecil pe șeful statului|date=2008-08-02|website=Gândul|language=ro|trans-title=Ludovic Orban calls the head of state an imbecile|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105125404/https://www.gandul.info/politica/ludovic-orban-il-face-imbecil-pe-seful-statului-2868170|archive-date=2019-11-05|access-date=2020-02-06}} and once shouted, "The President is the last Sauron to rule in this realm of darkness!", referencing The Lord of the Rings of J.R.R. Tolkien.{{Cite web |url=https://evz.ro/orban-basescu-e-sauron-83936.html |title=Orban: "Băsescu e Sauron!" |date=2008-01-19 |website=Evenimentul Zilei|language=ro|trans-title=Orban: 'Băsescu is Sauron!'|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805172116/http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/orban-quotbasescu-e-sauronquot-83936.html|archive-date=2012-08-05|access-date=2009-02-28}}
He also criticised the Emil Boc government, which during 2009 was composed of the Băsescu-associated Democratic Liberal Party and the Social Democrats, referring to the latter party's then-leader, Mircea Geoană, as Băsescu's "steward";{{Cite web |url=http://www.ziua.ro/display.php?data=2009-04-18&id=252114 |title=Orban: Geoană îi împăturește izmenele lui Băsescu |date=2009-04-18 |website=Ziua |language=ro |trans-title=Orban: Geoană lays out Băsescu's underwear |access-date=2009-05-06}} and attacking cabinet policies on education,{{Cite web |url=http://www.ziua.ro/news.php?data=2009-05-04&id=27074 |title=Orban: Pe problemele educației, Guvernul este acela care se află în grevă |date=2009-05-04 |website=Ziua |language=ro |trans-title=Orban: On matters of education, it is the Government which is on strike |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206000117/http://www.ziua.ro/news.php?data=2009-05-04&id=27074 |archive-date=2020-02-06 |access-date=2020-02-06}} tourism promotion (which he sees as an unnecessary luxury),{{Cite web |url=http://www.ziua.ro/news.php?data=2009-04-30&id=26885 |title=Ludovic Orban: Programul de promovare a turismului românesc este o nesimțire a Guvernului Băsescu-Geoană |date=2009-04-30 |website=Ziua |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban: The Romanian tourism promotion programme is a callousness of the Băsescu-Geoană Government |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206000609/http://www.ziua.ro/news.php?data=2009-04-30&id=26885 |archive-date=2020-02-06 |access-date=2020-02-06}} and the 2008 financial crisis (where he foresaw the government being unable to pay pensions and salaries).{{Cite web |url=http://www.ziua.ro/news.php?data=2009-05-06&id=27327 |title=Orban: Guvernul va pune România pe butuci și nu va fi capabil să plătească pensii, prestații sociale, salarii în sectorul bugetar la termen |date=2009-05-06 |website=Ziua |language=ro |trans-title=Orban: The Government will handcuff Romania and be unable to pay pensions, social obligations and salaries in the budgetary sector on time |access-date=2009-05-07}} Speaking to a group of female PNL members in Alba County in March 2006, he drew accusations of sexism for saying, "You need not go through any boss's bed to reach important public positions," and declaring that Mioara Mantale, Elena Udrea and party colleague Raluca Turcan had done so, but not Mona Muscă or Norica Nicolai.{{Cite web |url=https://adevarul.ro/news/politica/turcan-mantale-udrea-si-au-facut-cariera-patul-sefilor-1_50abab367c42d5a6637e11a0/index.html |title=Turcan, Mantale, Udrea și-au făcut carieră prin patul șefilor |last=Nechita |first=Beatrice |date=2006-03-27 |website=Adevărul |language=ro |trans-title=Turcan, Mantale, Udrea made their careers through their bosses' beds |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523062500/http://www.adevarul.ro/actualitate/politica/Turcan-Mantale-Udrea-cariera-sefilor_0_53396691.html |archive-date=2011-05-23 |access-date=2009-02-28}} Driving in Cotroceni in December 2007, his car hit a 16-year-old girl, forcing her hospitalisation; despite a call by the prime minister, Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu, for his resignation,{{Cite web |url=http://www.realitatea.net/ministrul-ludovic-orban-refuza-sa-demisioneze_127407.html |title=Ministrul Ludovic Orban refuză să demisioneze |date=2007-12-22 |website=Realitatea |language=ro |trans-title=Minister Ludovic Orban refuses to resign |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523061426/http://www.realitatea.net/ministrul-ludovic-orban-refuza-sa-demisioneze_127407.html |archive-date=2011-05-23 |access-date=2009-02-28}} Orban refused to do so and prosecutors ultimately decided not to pursue criminal charges, although his license was suspended and he was fined.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gardianul.ro/2008/02/05/dezvaluiri-c11/concluzia_finala_a_procurorilor_ministrul_transporturilor_ludovic_orban_a_primit_trei_nup_uri-s108599.html |title=Concluzia finală a procurorilor: Ministrul transporturilor, Ludovic Orban, a primit trei NUP-uri |last=Pascu |first=Eduard |date=2008-02-05 |website=Gardianul |language=ro |trans-title=Prosecutors' final conclusion: The Minister of Transport, Ludovic Orban, received 3 NUPs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208062744/http://www.gardianul.ro/2008/02/05/dezvaluiri-c11/concluzia_finala_a_procurorilor_ministrul_transporturilor_ludovic_orban_a_primit_trei_nup_uri-s108599.html |archive-date=2008-02-08 |access-date=2009-02-28}}
Personal life
Orban and his wife Mihaela have one son.{{cite web|url=http://www.ludovicorban.ro/blog/curriculum-vitae/|title=Curriculum Vitae|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129134219/http://www.ludovicorban.ro/blog/curriculum-vitae/|date=2008-03-12|archive-date=2009-01-29|language=ro|access-date=2009-02-28}} His brother, Leonard Orban, is the former European Commissioner for Multilingualism.{{Cite web |url=https://evz.ro/fratii-orban-in-campanie-fara-voie-de-la-bruxelles-804797.html |title=Frații Orban, în campanie fără voie de la Bruxelles |last=Georgescu |first=Romulus |date=2008-05-24 |website=Evenimentul Zilei |language=ro |trans-title=The Orban brothers, in a disallowed campaign from Brussels |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608122209/http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/fratii-orban-in-campanie-fara-voie-de-la-bruxelles-804797.html |archive-date=2011-06-08 |access-date=2009-02-28}} He is unrelated to Viktor Orbán, and has said that their sharing a name is often a source of shame for him.{{Cite web |url= https://www.mediafax.ro/politic/ludovic-orban-de-multe-ori-am-ajuns-sa-mi-fie-rusine-ca-ma-cheama-orban-dar-prefer-sa-ma-cheme-orban-decat-boc-8068742 |title= Ludovic Orban: De multe ori am ajuns să-mi fie ruşine că mă cheamă Orban|last=Novaceanu |first=Alina |date=2011-03-16 |website=Mediafax |language=ro |trans-title=Ludovic Orban: I Am Often Ashamed to Be Called Orban |access-date=2024-11-27}}
Electoral history
= Presidential elections =
| class=wikitable width=75%
! rowspan=2|Election ! rowspan=2|Affiliation ! colspan=3|First round ! colspan=3|Second round | ||||
| Votes
!Percentage !Position !Votes !Percentage !Position | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=center
!2024 | 20,089 | 0.22% | {{color box|Gray|11th}} | bgcolor=lightgrey colspan=3| Not qualified |
=Mayor of Bucharest=
| class=wikitable width=75%
! rowspan=2|Election ! rowspan=2|Affiliation ! colspan=3|First round ! colspan=3|Second round | ||||
| Votes
!Percentage !Position !Votes !Percentage !Position | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| align=center
! 2008 | {{no2|PNL}} | 64,636 | {{Percentage bar|11.85|c={{party color|National Liberal Party (Romania)}}}} | {{color box|Gray|4th}} | bgcolor=lightgrey colspan=3|Not qualified |
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{in lang|ro}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20090224155641/http://www.ludovicorban.ro/blog/ Official site]
- {{in lang|ro}} [http://www.cdep.ro/pls/parlam/structura.mp?idm=216&cam=2&leg=2008 Profile at the Romanian Chamber of Deputies site]
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Category:Chairpersons of the National Liberal Party (Romania)
Category:Councillors in Romania
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Category:Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies (Romania)
Category:National Liberal Party (Romania) politicians
Category:Ministers of transport of Romania
Category:Prime ministers of Romania
Category:Romanian politicians of Hungarian descent
Category:Andrei Șaguna National College (Brașov) alumni
Category:Transilvania University of Brașov alumni
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