Parliament on Saturday approved the minority Liberal government of Ludovic Orban with opposition parties rallying around the government as Romania grapples with the effects of the coronavirus crisis.
Orban’s government received 286 votes, with 23 votes against, far more than the 233 needed. The government will be invested later by President Klaus Iohannis, ending a prolonged period of political uncertainty.
Ahead of the vote, lawmakers each took a test for the coronavirus, and ministerial hearings lasted two hours, rather than the customary two days. The parliament was disinfected.
The number of cases of coronavirus rose to 116 on Saturday. Orban who is chairman of the Liberal Party, is himself currently quarantined after a colleague tested positive.
Iohannis who picked Orban for a third time, praised politicians from all parties.
„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.
