Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has designated acting Prime Minister Ludovic Orban to form a new government as the country grapples with the effects of the coronavirus crisis and a prolonged period of political uncertainty.
Iohannis said that Parliament could vote on Orban’s government as early as Saturday in „very special conditions.”
Lawmakers will each take a test for the coronavirus, ministerial hearings will last two hours, rather than two days as is customary, and the parliament hall will be disinfected. Ministers who are currently in self-isolation after coming into contact with a party colleague who tested positive for COVID-19 will be assessed via a video link.
The number of cases of coronavirus rose to 82 on Friday. Orban who is chairman of the Liberal Party, is himself currently in self-isolation at home after a colleague tested positive. Friday’s nomination is the third time Iohannis has picked Orban for prime minister.
Iohannis said that Orban was the only proposal he received „and in consequence I have designed (him) to the position of prime minister,” he said Friday after consultations with political parties via video link.
„All politicians had a mature, constructive approach and everyone understood that we are in a very special crisis situation where political bickering has no place, and we need very urgent solutions.”
The 56-year-old headed the Liberal minority government from November to February when his party was dismissed in a no-confidence vote.
Iohannis designated interim Finance Minister Florin Citu to be premier, but he stepped back Thursday, minutes ahead of a vote in Parliament, suggesting that only Orban had the legitimacy to lead the government during the crisis.
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