Sorin Grindeanu named as Romania's prime minister designate

Sorin Grindeanu (C) gestures while answering a question during a press conference held alongside Romania's Social Democrat party (PSD) leader, Liviu Dragnea (R), in Bucharest, Romania December 28, 2016. Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea/via REUTERS

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's president accepted Sorin Grindeanu as prime minister on Friday after rejecting the ruling Social Democrat Party's (PSD) previous nominee, clearing the path for a new government to be formed next week.

Grindeanu, a 43-year-old mathematician and former deputy mayor of the western city of Timisoara, has 10 days to appoint a cabinet, draft a governing programme and seek backing from parliament, where his leftist coalition holds a clear majority.