A new PM designate

The acting finance minister Florin Citu was entrusted with forming a new cabinet

Ştefan Stoica, 27.02.2020, 13:50

Romania has a new prime minister designate: the incumbent finance minister Florin Citu. President Klaus Iohannis announced his nomination on Wednesday, after commending the National Liberal Party for its 3 months in power, guided by what he called a reform agenda, and after criticising the Social Democrats for systematically attempting to hinder the work of the government.

The President mentioned that the first Liberal cabinet, headed by the president of the National Liberal Party Ludovic Orban, was dismissed under a no-confidence motion by a parliamentary majority created by the Social Democratic Party against a bill reintroducing the 2-round voting system in the local elections. This is why the head of state appointed Ludovic Orban once again as prime minister designate, but the Social Democrats slowed down the required parliamentary procedures until Parliament faced a deadlock that ended in Orbans resignation.

The president explained that by appointing Florin Citu he sought to put an end to the deadlock and to solve the problems of the country. The PM designate promised to try to put together the parliamentary majority required for his endorsement, and to come up with a list of ministers and a governing programme as soon as possible.

Both before and after becoming a government member, Florin Citu accused the Social Democratic Party of implementing disastrous policies for the national budget. His party chief, Ludovic Orban, vowed that Citus nomination is a guarantee that the countrys economic and financial rehabilitation will continue.

Ludovic Orban: “Florin Citu is a guarantor that the disaster left behind by irresponsible Social Democratic governments will be reversed, and also that Romania will have a sustainable economic growth, based on the normal growth engines in a capitalist economy.

The Social Democratic Party, which still has a majority in Parliament, was prompt in responding: they will not endorse a cabinet headed by Citu. The interim president of the party Marcel Ciolacu, said:

Marcel Ciolacu: “I find Mr. Citus designation unimaginable. I was expecting Mr. Citu to tell us how he spent the 10 billion euros he borrowed in 3 months and a half, and not to be named prime minister designate. This is unspeakable. We will decide on our next steps and discuss the matter with the other political partners. There is no doubt that the path chosen by the President leads to a political crisis.

Ciolacu does not rule out resorting to the Constitutional Court once again. Notified by the Social Democrats, the Court ruled that Orbans nomination as PM designate for a second time was designed to ensure the collapse, rather than the success of the new Government. The Court took into account the Presidents and the Liberals outspoken plans to push for early elections.

The 3rd biggest parliamentary group, Save Romania Union, say they are open to joining in a new government, if a parliamentary majority is achieved, and that their top priority is reintroducing the 2-round voting system in local elections. Pro Romania party on the other hand says its MPs will not endorse the new government, because the Liberals lack the legitimacy, the qualifications, the programme and the parliamentary support to govern the country.

(translated by: Ana-Maria Popescu)