Romania Begins Talks on New Government to Launch New Presidential Election

This week Romania begins talks on forming a new government in continuation of a coalition deal involving a number of political forces that together ensure a pro-European majority in parliament. Talks between incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu’s Social Democrats (PSD), the Save Romania Union (USR), the National Liberal Party (PNL), the ethnic Hungarian UDMR and representatives of national minorities to form a new government will begin in Romania from Monday, eurointegration.com.ua reports. The Social Democrats are relying on the premiership, in which Marcel Ciolacu is likely to remain. Last week, it should be recalled, the parties agreed on a coalition. In the resolution signed, they declared their intention to ensure a stable government, protect Romania’s European course and prevent its international isolation, the risks of which were highlighted by the unexpected leadership of far-right candidate Calin Georgescu in the first round of the presidential election and the second place of the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) in the parliamentary elections. Recall that due to the unprecedented decision of the CC to restart the presidential election due to the scandal surrounding the Georgescu campaign, the new government will have to determine new election dates. Current President Klaus Iohannis will continue to serve as president until a successor is elected.