Victor Ponta designated prime minister of Romania following December 9 general elections

Luni, 17 decembrie 2012, 12:31 English | Top News

Romanian President Traian Basescu signed on Monday the decree designating Victor Ponta, leader of the Social Democrats (PSD) and co-head of the Social Liberal Union (USL) as prime minister of Romania. The move comes as the USL, the alliance of PSD and the Liberals (PNL), obtained a large majority of votes in the December 9 parliamentary elections.

Ponta has been serving as prime minister for seven months. In spring this year, his alliance replaced a rightist government who had only spent several weeks in office. Over the seven months, USL's main focus was a battle with President Basescu, which included a failed and controversial referendum to remove him from office.

A presidential press release on Monday announced Victor Viorel Ponta was designated candidate for prime minister, in charge with forming a new government due to be validated by the Parliament.

The press release says that during consultations between political parties and the President on Monday morning there was only one proposal for prime minister. As a result, President Basescu designated Ponta as candidate for prime minister.

Ponta has ten days to form a government and come before the newly elected Parliament to receive the vote of support. The USL leader has said he wanted to move faster than that so that Romania have a government by Christmas.