 "Romania: Presidential election annulled, outgoing President Iohannis names PM to run govt")
In a bid to end a prolonged political crisis after a top court annulled the presidential election, Romania’s president on Monday nominated incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to lead a new pro-European coalition government.
After deliberations with Romania’s political parties, President Klaus Iohannis nominated Ciolacu of the leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD) to try to form a government. Ciolacu, whose party topped the polls in a Dec. 1 parliamentary election, has served as prime minister since June last year.
It is widely seen as a tactical push to shut out far-right nationalists who made significant gains in parliament, revealing widespread anti-establishment sentiment.
“It will not be an easy mandate for the future government,” Ciolacu said in a statement Monday. “We are aware that we are in the midst of a deep political crisis. It is also a crisis of trust, and this coalition aims to regain the trust of citizens, the trust of the people.”
Three consecutive ballots to elect a new president and parliament in the European Union and NATO state which shares the longest land border with Ukraine descended into chaos when a little-known far-right pro-Russian politician won the first presidential round on Nov. 24. Amid suspicions of Russian interference, the top court annulled the election.
The new government will need to approve a calendar for a new two-round presidential election. The three parties in the coalition agreed to back a single presidential candidate to prevent the far right from winning. Their candidate at the moment is Crin Antonescu, a former Liberal Party leader.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“I am aware it won’t be an easy mandate, it is essential that this government regain investors’ confidence,” Ciolacu told reporters.
Romania’s new cabinet will also have the daunting task of lowering the budget deficit from an expected 8.6% of economic output this year - the EU’s largest - to around 7% in 2025 and ratings agencies and analysts expect tax hikes.
With inputs from agencies.
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