Designated Prime Minister Luca Niculescu stated on Monday evening that he no longer considers it likely for PNL to enter the future government, but negotiations continue, and there are other ways in which Romania can have a government with full powers. He considers both a government formed by representatives of parties and technocrats, as well as an exclusively technocratic one, supported by a political agreement.
„At this moment, I don’t believe PNL will enter the government, but there are other solutions. We can have a hybrid government,” stated Luca Niculescu on Monday evening at Antena 3.
Moreover, Ilie Bolojan announced on Monday that PNL is willing to support the appointment of a new government, even if it does not participate in it. The liberal leader once again ruled out governing alongside PSD. Bolojan proposed that in the case of forming a technocratic government, the designated Prime Minister should conclude separate agreements with parliamentary parties, committing them to support certain measures for a specified period, including the adoption of the 2027 budget.
The designated Prime Minister explained that he would like a government supported by a solid parliamentary majority, but acknowledges that the lack of trust between parties makes such an agreement difficult. "My role is not to make these parties love each other. There is a great deal of distrust between them, and if there were simple solutions, they wouldn't have come to me," said Niculescu.
What government options are being considered
According to the designated Prime Minister, one of the solutions could be a government in which one or two parties enter, alongside technocrat ministers.
Another option is a government exclusively composed of technocrats, which would receive support from parties for several essential objectives, such as adopting the budget and avoiding parliamentary decisions that could destabilize the economy.
"It is, I would say, a solution that is probably the most fragile, but it is a solution. It is better than no solution. It is better than not having a government continuing and facing the specter of early elections," stated Niculescu.
He believes that holding early elections would prolong the political crisis at a time when Romania cannot afford to wait for several months.
"All options are on the table," specified the designated Prime Minister, who acknowledged that the PSD-PNL-UDMR formula, although it would have been the most useful, now seems the least feasible to him.
Niculescu says he talks daily with political leaders and hopes that negotiations will conclude in the next few days. "We have dialogue with all parties, and by Thursday, I hope to resolve it," he stated.
Does not have the guarantee of votes in Parliament
When asked if he has received assurances that his government will be invested, Niculescu replied that no one has promised him this. "No one has offered me any guarantee that this government will pass," stated the designated Prime Minister.
However, he believes that the difficult economic and political situation could lead parties to be more flexible than in previous attempts to form a government. "Let's understand each other on some principles, on some ideas, and let's form a government," Niculescu conveyed.
Budget adjustment, the first urgency
The designated Prime Minister warned that Romania urgently needs a government that can make budget adjustments and prepare the budget for 2027. "The situation is very serious, I don't want anyone to take what I say as a reason for panic. There are solutions, the first solution being the formation of a government," stated Niculescu.
He specified that the adjustment must be made within a few weeks to eliminate financial blockages, including those caused by rising fuel prices.
Additionally, the budget for next year must be finalized by the end of 2026, ahead of new ratings agency evaluations. "You need a government that functions, that operates with full powers," emphasized the designated Prime Minister.