Romania parliament to vote on Niculescu government

Romania's parliament will vote on Tuesday on a government proposed by pro-European prime minister-designate Luca Niculescu, in a bid to end months of political deadlock.

Niculescu is the fourth candidate to try to form a government since a pro-European coalition collapsed in May. Three pro-European parties have pledged support, giving him a parliamentary majority and making the vote expected to pass, although only one of those parties will join the government.

Niculescu, a diplomat with no political affiliation, has proposed a cabinet made up of ministers from the centre-left Social Democratic Party, the country's largest party, and technocrats. He said on Facebook that Romania needed a government able to make decisions quickly after months of turmoil.

Romania has been in political limbo since a four-party pro-EU coalition led by liberal prime minister Ilie Bolojan was brought down by a no-confidence vote. The motion was supported by the Social Democratic Party, which was part of the government but opposed Bolojan's austerity measures, and by the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians.

The far-right party has led opinion polls with support approaching 40% and has repeatedly called for snap elections. President Nicusor Dan, a pro-European centrist, has ruled out both a cabinet including the far right and snap elections, arguing that a new vote would prolong the crisis and strain state finances.

Niculescu, 55, is a former ambassador to France and currently oversees Romania's bid to join the OECD as a secretary of state in the foreign ministry. The Social Democratic Party, the liberals and the Hungarian ethnic party UDMR back him, but the PSD and liberals have said they will reassess their support in the coming months.