Key facts
- President Nicusor Dan nominated Eugen Tomac as prime minister.
- Tomac has 10 days to form a government and seek parliamentary confidence.
- The political crisis has stalled policymaking and endangered access to EU funds.
Romania's President Nicusor Dan has nominated Eugen Tomac as prime minister to end a political crisis. Tomac, an adviser and EU Parliament member, has 10 days to form a technocratic government and secure parliamentary confidence. The crisis has stalled policymaking, jeopardized EU funds, and sent the leu to record lows.
BUCHAREST, June 4 (Reuters) - Romania's centrist President Nicusor Dan designated his adviser Eugen Tomac as prime minister on Thursday, seeking to end a political crisis that has stalled policymaking, endangered access to EU funds and driven the leu currency to record lows. The previous pro-European coalition government collapsed a month ago when its largest party withdrew support, threatening efforts to cut the EU's largest budget deficit and risking the country's investment-grade sovereign rating. Tomac, 44, a member of the European Parliament and leader of a party not in Romania's legislature, will have 10 days to form a government and win a parliamentary vote of confidence. His cabinet will consist of technocrats, as parties have been unable to forge a new coalition. President Dan stated that the priorities for the new government include maintaining a pro-Western stance, preserving financial stability, enforcing reforms to secure EU funds, and clarifying 2027 budget plans. The new government will need to implement reforms quickly to access approximately 8.6 billion euros in EU recovery funds before an August deadline and ensure deficit reduction continues beyond 2026. However, Tomac's cabinet may struggle to gain parliamentary support for contentious reforms. Analysts suggest the likelihood of early elections is small, with the opposition AUR party currently leading in opinion polls.
The nomination of a technocratic government is a critical step in resolving Romania's political instability, which has threatened its access to vital EU funds and its financial stability. The success of this government in implementing reforms will determine the country's economic trajectory and its relationship with the European Union.