Romanian President Klaus Iohannis appoints Marcel Ciolacu as the country's prime minister.
"The pro-European coalition proposed a candidate, which I have decided to accept," the head of state said at the Cotroceni Palace, as quoted by Agence France-Presse.
This morning, the leaders of the SPD, the NPL and the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) and minorities signed a political agreement in parliament ahead of the formation of a governing coalition.
"The negotiation phase for the new government is over. The pro-European coalition formed by the SPD, the NPL and the MDRR and the minorities decided to form a majority and a government. Already today in Parliament this majority has been verified and is secure. The pro-European coalition offered me a candidate, which I decided to accept. Consequently, I nominate Mr Marcel Ciolacu as Prime Minister of the Romanian government," Iohannis issued a statement.
He reiterated that the coalition is "a pro-European, pro-Romanian coalition that has every chance to continue Romania's very good course after its undeniable economic successes, after Romania's entry into the Schengen area".
"I believe that they will do very well with the problems that we are certainly facing now, with the construction of the budget and with setting the timetable for the presidential elections," the statement added.
Klaus Iohannis held another round of consultations with coalition leaders before announcing the prime minister-designate.
"Congratulations, a necessary, important first step. I am very happy that last night a very good coalition agreement was reached and already today we have the first tangible proof that it works," the president told the coalition leaders. | BGNES
