Romanian President Nicusor Dan on Sunday chose a new prime minister to form a government after the previous candidate stepped down.
EU member Romania has faced political turmoil since liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan was ousted in a no-confidence motion in early May.
The Social Democratic Party, his former governing partner, decided to leave the governing coalition and joined the far right on the motion.
“Mr. Eugen Tomac withdrew his candidacy this morning and under these circumstances I will nominate Mr. Adrian Vestea as prime minister,” Dan said in a statement.
Vestea, 52, a leader of the Liberal party, has been tasked with forming a new pro-Western parliamentary majority after a technocratic solution proposed by EU lawmaker Tomac failed to find the necessary support.
“Neither Mr. Tomac nor I have played in government,” Dan said. “At this point, however, it is clear that a political solution is the right solution.”
Dan praised Vestea’s experience as mayor, county council president and development minister in a previous government.
“I want a political government that will undertake real reforms and keep Romania on a pro-Western course,” Vestea said.
“I am taking this responsibility at a time of political crisis,” he added, saying he would negotiate with “pro-Western democratic political parties in the Romanian parliament.”
Liberal party leader Bolojan said on Sunday that he had not been informed in advance of the move and accused the president of “a hostile act and a clear attempt to divide” the party.
(in)
