Romania Names MEP Muresan as PM Candidate

Romanian President Nicusor Dan has nominated Siegfried Muresan, a pro-government member of the European Parliament, as the new prime minister in an effort to end the long-running political crisis. The 44-year-old liberal has 10 days to form a cabinet and win a vote of confidence in parliament, where center-right forces do not yet hold a clear majority.

This marks the head of state's third attempt to appoint a prime minister since the May collapse of Ilie Bolojan's pro-European coalition, brought down by an alliance between the opposition Social Democrats and the right.

The political uncertainty threatens Romania's credit rating, which narrowly avoided a downgrade from the lowest rung of investment grade in July. Rating agencies warn that approving the 2027 budget and reducing the high deficit are key to stabilizing the country's finances.

Although early elections have never been held in Romania's history, the president has not ruled out the possibility.

Analysts warn, however, that such elections would mainly benefit the right-wing Alliance for the Unification of Romanians, which opposes aid to Ukraine and currently leads in the polls.

(Reuters, max)