Romanian president delays nomination of premier until Christmas
The Romanian president has postponed the nomination of the country’s new prime minister until after Christmas, saying he needs more time to deliberate on proposals for the post.
Klaus Iohannis said Thursday that he had received “two proposals” on who should be premier, adding that further discussions were needed to appoint a prime minister designate.
“In the coming days I will have talks and the designation will take place after Christmas,” said Iohannis a day after Sevil Shhaideh, a female Muslim, was proposed by Romania's Social Democrats (PSD) to take on as new premier.
Iohannis would not elaborate on the reasons for the delayed announcement. He was expected to give official support to Shhaideh, a 52-year-old economist and former development minister who could become Romania's first female Muslim premier, on Thursday. Romania’s parliament should approve the nomination.
The PSD rose to prominence in parliament on December 11, after the party won 45 percent of the vote in the general election. The party leads Romania's new coalition government alongside the smaller Alliance of Liberals and Democrats.
Shhaideh’s nomination has been met with criticism as many in the opposition who say she would be the effective mouthpiece of PSD leader Liviu Dragnea.
Dragnea withdrew his bid to become prime minister on Wednesday as the law bars him from office over a two-year suspended sentence he has been given for electoral fraud. The PSD chairman has suggested that the law could be tweaked, showing that he still hopes to become prime minister.
Romania is one of the poorest countries in the European Union. It saw riots last year which many blamed on endemic corruption.
The unrest, which was triggered by a deadly nightclub fire that killed 64 people, forced the PSD from office.
The party has vowed that it would do its best to boost wages and pensions and cut taxes in its comeback.
EU's Borrell says ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders binding
Russia launches 'ICBM' for first time against Ukraine: Kiev
Borrell urges sanctions on Israel for war crimes
What led to dilly-dallying in ICC arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Gallant
Palestinians flee Gaza City suburb after Israel issues forced evacuation order
Iran says will discuss key nuclear, regional issues with France, Germany, UK
VIDEO | Israeli archaeologist killed in Southern Lebanon
VIDEO | Israeli airstrike on Lebanon's army base kills soldier, injures 18 others
Sirens sound across Tel Aviv as Hezbollah fires barrage of missiles at Israeli target
Israeli ‘archeologist’ who toured south Lebanon in military uniform to falsify history
The importance of Venezuela for Iran
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
