Timișoara, April 14, 2025 – While the local administration faces daily complaints, stalled infrastructure, a lingering public health crisis, and a chronic lack of responsiveness to the city’s needs, Mayor Dominic Fritz appears increasingly focused on his national political career.
📅 On Tuesday, the National Bureau of USR decided to grant him key leadership responsibilities within the party, in the absence of USR president Elena Lasconi.
🏛️ From City Hall to Party Headquarters
Dominic Fritz, re-elected as mayor of Timișoara in 2020 on the promise of a modern and efficient administration, now seems to have shifted his attention to Bucharest and to restructuring USR.
📌 Specifically, Fritz will:
- coordinate relations with local party branches
- communicate with the party’s Secretary General
- and will be able to convene internal party meetings
These were previously roles reserved exclusively for the party president.
🚨 Internal Crisis in USR, National Ambitions for Fritz
This decision comes amid a tense moment for the party: USR is deeply divided, and Elena Lasconi has become increasingly absent from the leadership scene.
According to internal sources, her replacement is already being discussed, although no decision will be made before the May elections.
At this time, Dominic Fritz is considered the front-runner to become USR’s next official leader.
🏚️ Meanwhile, Timișoara Is Put on Hold
Back in Timișoara, the city Fritz is supposed to manage is left with:
- delayed infrastructure projects
- a fragile administration
- and growing public distrust 😕
Many residents feel that their city has been clearly pushed to the back burner.
👉 USR Restructures — But Who’s Really in Charge?
According to Tuesday’s official party statement, USR’s Secretary General has been authorized to manage all contracts, while Fritz takes over central responsibilities within the party.
The National Bureau—controlled by the group supporting Nicușor Dan in the presidential race—has effectively put in place an internal mechanism through which Dominic Fritz is now the de facto leader of USR.
His involvement in negotiations with Nicușor Dan and public appearances alongside Ionuț Moșteanu clearly suggest a political repositioning for Fritz—not toward the city that elected him, but toward the Capital.
⚠️ What’s Left of His Commitments to Timișoara?
For the people of Timișoara, the question is becoming more and more urgent:
Who is really running the city?
While Fritz’s national ambitions take shape, local problems remain unsolved.
🚍 Public transport, 🧹 city cleanliness, and 🏗️ delayed investments have all taken a backseat to USR’s internal power games.
📌 VestFlux Newsroom will continue to closely follow developments within USR, but especially how they impact the local administration in Timișoara.
Between congresses, meetings, and political alliances, the city is at risk of being left… on hold.
