Romania PM-Designate Niculescu Pushes for Vote This Week

Prime Minister-designate Luca Niculescu continues negotiations with parliamentary parties to secure the 233 votes needed for a confidence vote. He intends to submit his governing program and ministerial list to Parliament on Thursday, October 15, the constitutional deadline.

Niculescu met last week with the PSD, PNL, and UDMR, and held talks with USR and minority groups on Monday. He has excluded the nationalist AUR party from discussions entirely.

“Romania cannot afford to prolong this period of political uncertainty. We need a government with full powers urgently.”

The main deadlock persists between the PSD and PNL. PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu demands a renewed alliance with the PNL and UDMR, refusing to support a minority government. PNL leader Ilie Bolojan has ruled out governing alongside the Social Democrats.

Niculescu stated his preference for a political cabinet involving party representatives, arguing it ensures greater accountability. He acknowledged a technocratic alternative is prepared if political talks fail.

Citing urgent economic issues requiring a fully empowered government, Niculescu said Romania cannot afford prolonged political uncertainty. He declined to confirm whether he has secured the necessary votes.