This is the second withdrawal of Stolojan, one of Basescu's closest allies. In 2004, he was appointed to run for presidency, but gave up the nomination citing health reasons and Basescu became presidential candidate instead.
His decision comes one day after the two parties that agreed to form the government together, Liberal-Democrats (PD-L) and Social Democrats (PSD) signed the "Partnership for Romania", a paper based on which the government is to be shaped.
"The two [party] presidents who signed the Partnership for Romania must take responsibility of it by assuming the top offices in the state - of prime minister and Senate president," Stolojan said.
