Romania chooses ex-Economy Minister to lead the country hoping to pull it out of its ongoing political crisis
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Romania’s outgoing Economy Minister Mihai Tudose has been picked by the ruling Social Democrats (PSD) as the new Prime Minister. The choice backed by the country’s president should clear the way for a new leftist-led government to be formed by the end of this week in a bid to end an ongoing political crisis.
PSD leader Liviu Dragnea said Tudose was one of six potential prime ministers the party considered. The other five had declined the position.
Tudose is expected to unveil his cabinet lineup on Tuesday and analysts said several of the outgoing ministers were likely to retain their posts.
Dragnea said a new government would be approved in parliament on Thursday in a vote of confidence supported by the ruling coalition which has about 10 seats above the required majority.
President Klaus Iohannis said time was of the essence to end the damage being done to Romania.
“This crisis that we are going through causes harm to Romania, harm to the Romanian economy, to the image of Romania around the world and my opinion is that this crisis has to end very quickly.”
Last week PSD lawmakers voted out their own cabinet in a no-confidence motion, effectively ousting Sorin Grindeanu in an internal party rift over its anti-corruption policy.
In February Romania experienced a wave of massive anti-government protests at its attempt to decriminalise some graft offenses causing outrage among voters.