Romania's new coalition finalises government, endorses PM to defuse crisis

FILE PHOTO: Romania's President Klaus Iohannis and new Prime minister-designate Nicolae Ciuca arrive to deliver a press statement in Bucharest, Romania October 21, 2021. George Calin/Inquam Photos via REUTERS/File Photo

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romania's ruling Liberals and the leftist Social Democrats finalised their planned coalition on Monday and agreed to endorse retired army general Nicolae Ciuca as prime minister, hoping to end a two-month long political stalemate.

Romania, one of the European Union's poorest members, has been in political paralysis since a centrist coalition government splintered in September, threatening economic recovery and efforts to cut large budget and trade deficits.