Romania's Iohannis nominates Iraqi war veteran Ciuca as PM designate

FILE PHOTO: Romania's Defence Minister Nicolae Ciuca participates in an arrival ceremony at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, U.S. October 8, 2020. REUTERS/Erin Scott

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's president nominated Nicolae Ciuca as prime minister on Thursday, asking the retired army general to form a centrist government to end a month-long policy stalemate as rising COVID-19 infections threaten to overwhelm hospitals.

One of the European Union's poorest members, Romania has been in political paralysis since a Liberal-led government was toppled by parliament on Oct. 5, threatening its economic recovery and efforts to cut big budget and external shortfalls.