Iohannis by a 54.5%-45.5% margin. In July 2015, PLR announced its merger with the Conservative Party (PC), to form a new party, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE), Tăriceanu becoming its co-president. In 2017, Tăriceanu, claimed that he was a staunch monarchist and "Constitutional monarchy has the advantage of placing the monarch over political games, which is not our case: the president, instead of being an arbitrator, prefers to be a player". Controversies Tăriceanu has been accused by President Băsescu of interfering with justice in Dinu Patriciu's benefit. On 24 January 2006, Monica Macovei, then Minister of Justice, made public a meeting with Tăriceanu which took place 7 months before (in June 2005), and to which Tăriceanu invited Dinu Patriciu. Patriciu complained to Macovei about alleged procedural problems regarding his case. Macovei accused Tăriceanu of interfering with justice. On 20 February 2006 Tăriceanu declared on TVR1:" I recognise my fault. I didn't act correctly. But I didn't influence justice." "Îmi recunosc vina. Nu am procedat corect. Dar nu am influenţat justiţia" Elena Udrea recalled that, while she was Presidential Counsellor, she saw a note written by Tăriceanu. In a few days President Băsescu found the note and made it public, saying that "The Prime Minister suggested to me a partnership, but, unfortunately, with our oligarchies" "Domnul prim-ministru imi propunea un parteneriat, dar, din pacate, cu oligarhiile noastre". The note was about a complaint from Petromidia about the 27 May procedure problems: Dear Traian, 1. I send you annexed a document released by Petromidia, regarding the ongoing investigations.2. If you have the opportunity to speak at the Prosecuting Magistracy about the subject? In May 2007, Patriciu won a lawsuit against the Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), which illegally tapped his phones for two years. He received from SRI 50,000 RON as moral prejudice. Electoral history Presidential elections Notes: 1 His party, PLR, did not manage to register in time for the elections, therefore he was forced to file his candidacy as an independent. Mayor of Bucharest References Bibliography Evenimentul Zilei, 14 December 2005, "Emil Constantinescu a adus documente despre care spune că atestă colaborarea preşedintelui Traian Băsescu cu Securitatea" Jurnalul National, 9 February 2006. "Urmează Tăriceanu?" |- |- |- 1952 births Chairpersons of the National Liberal Party (Romania) Living people Members of the Chamber of Deputies (Romania) Presidents of the Senate of Romania Members of the Senate of Romania Politicians from Bucharest