Romanian President Traian Basescu and PM Calin Popescu Tariceanu met at the Government HQ on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the procedure needed to invest new ministers following the withdrawal of a small political party from the government. The Constitution says the new ministers must go through parliamentary hearings if “the political components of the Government” are changed.

The seats of deputy prime minister and Economy minister were left vacant by departing Conservative Party representatives.

As the rest of the political groups forming the coalition in power said they would try to maintain a three-party governmental formula, the Liberals nominated MP Varujan Vosganian to take over the duties of deputy PM, while the Democrats nominated Mircea Toader for the seat of Economy minister.

PM Tariceanu had said earlier today that it was not necessary for the nominees to pass the approval of the Parliament as he dismissed opposition claims that the Government configuration has changed following the withdrawal of the Conservatives.