Romania's Social Democrats propose their own leader as prime minister in bid to avert snap election


Romanian Prime Minister Sorin Grindeanu walks after a no-confidence motion in Bucharest, Romania, June 21, 2017. Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via REUTERS

BUCHAREST, June 24 (Reuters) - ⁠Romania's leftist Social Democrats, parliament's largest ⁠party, said on Wednesday they would back ‌their own party leader Sorin Grindeanu for prime minister, as parties try to agree a new government after ​a pro-European coalition collapsed last ⁠month.

The Social Democrats ⁠triggered the political crisis in early May by ⁠quitting the ‌coalition and teaming up with the far right opposition to topple ⁠Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan.

The three other ​parties in ‌the outgoing coalition say they will not ⁠govern with ​the Social Democrats again. But that leaves no group with enough seats in parliament to ⁠form a majority.

A liberal candidate ​tapped by the president to form a government failed to win enough support, and if another ⁠candidate is selected and fails, new parliamentary elections must be held.

The pro-European parties have said they aim to reach an agreement on ​forming a minority government ⁠to avert a snap election, but have not ​agreed yet whether it will ‌be formed by the ​Social Democrats or by the centre right.

(Reporting by Luiza IlieEditing by Peter Graff)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan taken back to prison from hospital, party spokesman says
Australia investigates fourth close call at Sydney airport in less than a month
Hormuz ship crossings hover in single digits, data shows
FBI raids Democrat Swalwell's home in sexual-misconduct investigation, source says
Trump, former fixer Michael Cohen have warm interview at political low point for president
Man arrested after allegedly setting fire to home, killing 3 relatives in U.S. California
Portugal designates priority areas for solar, wind energy projects
Mariana, 18 more Brazil cities join Vale-BHP dam collapse compensation deal
Egyptian expat remittances hit record 47.3 bln USD in FY 2025-2026
2 killed, 7 injured in drone attacks across Crimea and Donetsk: regional authorities

Others Also Read