Luca Niculescu faces split parties as he seeks a new Romanian cabinet

Designated prime minister Luca Niculescu told Antena 3 that finance minister Alexandru Nazare could retain his post, yet he stopped short of naming any ministers, calling the discussion premature. The Social Democrats (PSD) insist on a political cabinet and refuse to govern alone, while the National Liberals (PNL) have ruled out joining a coalition with PSD after a recent no-confidence vote. PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu proposed supporting a minority PNL-UDMR cabinet from outside the government, but later rejected a PSD-only minority cabinet as too vulnerable.

The Hungarian minority party UDMR signalled willingness to back a new government’s investiture without necessarily joining it, awaiting the positions of PSD and PNL. Meanwhile, USR and other parliamentary groups are expected to meet Niculescu on October 12, three days before the deadline to present his proposed cabinet for a parliamentary vote.