Romania names fourth PM candidate

President Nicușor Dan named Luca Niculescu, secretary of state in the foreign ministry, as prime minister-designate on Monday to end a five-month government stalemate.

Three previous nominees have failed

Niculescu is the fourth candidate tasked with leading a government since the coalition collapsed in May. Lawmakers rejected two of Dan's previous nominees, and a third did not even make it that far.

Parliament must vote within ten days

To be confirmed, Niculescu must win a vote in Romania's parliament within ten days to show he has majority support for his ministerial team and their program for government.

Dan fears far-right gains from election

The president faces calls to dissolve parliament for a snap election but is reluctant to do so, fearing it would bring the far-right euroskeptic Alliance for the Union of Romanians closer to power.

Dan praises Niculescu's diplomatic skills

Dan said Niculescu, as a diplomat, knows how to harmonize different positions. He stressed Romania needs a government urgently to rectify institutions and pass a budget for next year.

“My proposal for the position of prime minister is Luca Niculescu, a man who, as a diplomat, knows how to harmonize different positions.”

Niculescu pledges European direction

Accepting the nomination, Niculescu said his first mission would be to build a parliamentary majority for a government deeply anchored in Romania's European and Euro-Atlantic direction.

“The first mission will be to build a parliamentary majority that will vote for a government that will be deeply anchored in Romania's European and Euro-Atlantic direction.”