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Romanian Prime Minister Orban Resigns

  Romania’s Prime Minister Ludovic Orban announced Monday that he was resigning a day after a disappointing showing for his liberal party in parliamentary elections. … Continue reading Romanian Prime Minister Orban Resigns

By Emmanuel Egobiambu
Updated December 7, 2020
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Romanian Prime Minister and President of National Liberal Party (PNL) rulling party Ludovic Orban (C) addresses a presser at PNL headquarters in Bucharest December 6, 2020. The pro-European liberals in power in Romania and their social-democratic rivals were neck and neck at the end of the legislative elections on Sunday, against a background of record abstention, according to an exit poll published at the close of offices to vote. Prime Minister Ludovic Orban’s Liberal Party (PNL) was credited with 29%, against 30.5% of the vote for his rival, the PSD. Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP
Romanian Prime Minister and President of National Liberal Party (PNL) ruling party Ludovic Orban (C) address a presser at PNL headquarters in Bucharest December 6, 2020. Daniel MIHAILESCU / AFP

 

Romania’s Prime Minister Ludovic Orban announced Monday that he was resigning a day after a disappointing showing for his liberal party in parliamentary elections.

“I have today decided to tender my resignation,” Orban said in a televised statement after his National Liberal Party (PNL) came second to the left-wing opposition Social Democrats.

“My decision should clearly show that I’m not clinging to any position. For me the national interest comes before the party and personal one”, he added.

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President Klaus Iohannis is expected to pick another cabinet minister to lead the government on an interim basis.

The PNL party came in second in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, with 25.5 percent, compared to 30 percent for the Social Democrats Party (PSD), according to results based on 95 percent of the votes counted.

Nevertheless, the liberals might continue to govern as part of a centre-right coalition, after president Klaus Iohannis suggested he won’t nominate a prime minister from the PSD.

AFP

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