New Romanian prime minister Luca Niculescu and Cabinet members sworn in
Independent diplomat Luca Niculescu wins parliamentary backing for a minority government, but analysts warn the calm may not last.
Romania officially appointed its new government on Tuesday, resolving a protracted political deadlock. Prime Minister Luca Niculescu, an independent diplomat, secured the necessary 280 votes in favour of his proposed Cabinet, while 58 members opposed it. Niculescu, who is 55, was first nominated by President Nicușor Dan on October 5th, following three previous unsuccessful attempts.
He was expected to become Prime Minister after garnering support from the Social Democrats and other parties for a six-month minority government while negotiations for a longer-term deal proceeded.
Speaking in Parliament after the vote, Niculescu expressed gratitude to lawmakers for their trust. He outlined his Cabinet and his intentions for the government, stating, "I present a governing programme, a team, and a commitment to work toward several clear objectives. And I want to tell the Romanian people, from the very start, what kind of government this will be. A government that brings funds and investments into the country."
The political stalemate had lingered since May, when then-Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan was removed following a no-confidence vote from the Social Democratic Party and the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians. Bolojan's administration had focused on stringent austerity measures upon assuming office in 2025, aiming to tackle Romania's significant budget deficit.
The country had endured a period of instability since the annulment of a presidential election in December 2024, coupled with high inflation and a technical recession, with Romania ranking among the highest budget deficits in the European Union last year.
The political impasse was exacerbated by the rejection of President Dan's third nominee, Siegfried Muresan, prolonging the crisis and heightening the risk of early elections amidst regional security tensions stemming from Russia's conflict in Ukraine. Experts cautioned that tensions might resurface soon, given Niculescu's reliance on the six-month arrangement with several parties, while a comprehensive agreement remains pending.
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