Romanian President Dan nominates Luca Niculescu for PM — Politico Europe

Romanian President Nicușor Dan in Bucharest nominated Foreign Ministry State Secretary Luca Niculescu as a candidate for prime minister. He became the fourth contender for the post of head of government since the coalition collapsed in May, Politico Europe reports.

Parliamentary vote

To take office, Niculescu must secure majority support in Romania's parliament for the composition of the government and its program within 10 days. The president announced the nomination after consultations with parties at the Cotroceni Palace.

Niculescu faces a difficult task: parliament has already rejected two of Dan's previous candidates, while the third contender did not reach a vote. After the president's three unsuccessful attempts, he is also being urged to dissolve parliament and hold early elections.

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President's position

Dan does not want to hold early elections because he fears the strengthening of the far-right Eurosceptic opposition. George Simion, leader of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians, whose party leads in polls, did not take part in consultations with the president and again called for elections. Last year, he competed against Dan in the presidential election.

The president stated that there would be no place in the new government for anti-Western parties, including far-right forces. According to him, Niculescu must maintain Romania's pro-Western course, adhere to financial targets and the country's international commitments.

For the past four years, Niculescu has led Romania's accession process to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. He said he would begin consultations with parliamentary parties to form a majority and agree on a realistic government program.