Two names were put before Romania’s President yesterday: one proposed by the Democratic Liberal Party (PDL), and the other supported by the new political majority. PDL proposed Lucian Croitoru, Advisor responsible for the monetary policy to the Governor of the National Bank of Romania (BNR), for the position of Prime Minister, in response to the nomination of Klaus Johannis, Mayor of Sibiu, supprted by PNL, UDMR, and the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
Initially, PDL wanted to propose Boc again, but reconsidered after the discussions that took place at Cotroceni Palace. This is the first time in the past 20 years when two independent candidates are battling for the seat of Prime Minister.
The option of a political Prime Minister was ruled out due to the Parliament’s fragmented political structure. Nevertheless, while one of the candidates has the support of Parliament, the other has the support of the President, who must make the appointment. Johannis is supported by a parliamentary majority, but not by President Băsescu, and was proposed for a two-month interim mandate to carry the government to the presidential elections scheduled for 22 November. Croitoru is supported by President Băsescu and his PDL party, but he must convince some members of the opposition parties to vote for him.
“I do not believe in the idea of an independent Prime Minister,” the President said. He added that he is willing to discuss the proposal of a technocrat Prime Minister with the parties, provided the government is a political one. Moreover, Băsescu does not want a short-term government, with temporary ministers. “I dare suggest the idea of a national unity government. This would be the only solution that would make you stop accusing each other,” Băsescu told the representatives of political parties who were present at Cotroceni last evening.
PSD, PNL, and UDMR proposed that Klaus Johannis lead a technocratic government. PNL’s President, Crin Antonescu, said that PNL would submit the matter to the Constitutional Court if President Băsescu ignores this majority and does not appoint Johannis as Prime Minister.