Governing parties divvy up ministries

The tense 90-minute meeting ended in a decision that PD-L will control the Finance Ministry, Infrastructure and Transportation Ministry, Economy Ministry, and Defense Ministry, while PSD representatives will become ministers of Administration and Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Agriculture. Thus, Liberal Democrats will handle economy-related ministries, while Social Democrats will be in charge of the social-related portfolios. Furthermore, PSD’s leaders will be assigned the Deputy Prime Minister position, will coordinate the European Affairs Department, and government regulation authorities, which are to be established by Prime Minister designate Emil Boc.

Leaders of the two parties also decided that the Minister of Justice will be an independent, not affiliated to any of the parties, but agreed to by the two leading parties. Social Democratic President, Mircea Geoana, said he would become President of the Senate.

The decision regarding ministerial nominations is to be made today. However, several names have already been mentioned unofficially, including former Deputy Prime Minister Gheorghe Pogea for the Finance Ministry, and former Bucharest Mayor, Adriean Videanu, for the Economy Ministry.