Romanian president nominates Luca Niculescu as prime minister
Romanian President Nicusor Dan has nominated Luca Niculescu as prime minister following a new round of consultations with parliamentary parties.
Speaking alongside Niculescu at Cotroceni Palace on Monday evening, Dan said the diplomat and former ambassador had the strongest prospects of securing parliamentary support.
“We have chosen the person who has the best chance of forming a majority,” Dan said, according to local broadcaster Antena 3 CNN.
Dan said Niculescu would be free to decide whether to form a technocratic or political government. The decree formalizing his nomination has been sent to the Official Gazette.
Niculescu accepts challenge
Niculescu accepted the nomination, acknowledging the difficulties facing the country.
“I accept this responsibility with full awareness of the difficulty of the moment,” he said.
Dan also highlighted Romania’s ambitions to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, saying OECD membership could help the country make a major economic and institutional advance.
Nomination follows failed investiture
The announcement came after consultations between Dan and leaders and representatives of parliamentary parties and groups.
The nomination follows the failure of Siegfried Muresan to secure parliamentary backing in an investiture vote on Sept. 30. Muresan was the third person nominated for the premiership in five months.
George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians, said before Monday’s consultations that he would not attend, arguing that Dan did not deserve his presence. Simion had also called for Dan’s removal from office last week.
Niculescu must now seek parliamentary support for a government, with the outcome expected to determine whether Romania can break the latest political deadlock.
Source:AA
