In Romania President Băsescu has nominated a prime minister following the recent legislative elections. He has nominated Theodor Stolojan, who was already prime minister from 1 Oct 1991-4 Nov 1992. He is an economist who is considered to be a technocrat. However, he is also close to President Băsescu and the Democratic Liberal Party (PD-L).

The prospective prime minister is expected to head a government comprising the PD-L and the PSD. These parties have been opposed and may make uneasy bedfellows. One issue that hangs over the coalition formation is whether the minority parties, particularly the Hungarians’ party will be represented in cabinet. There are some suggestions that the PSD does not want the minority groups to be included.

In theory, the PD-L and the PSD have a comfortable majority. Stolojan’s nomination will need to be ratified by parliament before 22 December.