President Traian Basescu said the nominee of Lucian Croitoru for the prime-minister seat falls into line with the parties' demands, as they required an independent chief of Executive, except the Democrat-Liberal Party (PDL) which wanted a political player for the position.
Basescu deems Croitoru is a professional and his proposal corresponds to the request of having a prime-minister familiar with the economic issues.
The president mentioned he has previously proposed Lucian Croitoru to take over the government's helm, during the alliance formed by PDL and the Social-Democrat Party (PSD), but he declined the offer. Basescu also asked Sibiu mayor Klaus Johannis to join the government, as Education Minister, but he too refused to enter the Cabinet.
Romania's president had two other options for the prime-minister seat except Croitoru. PDL proposed the interim premier Emil Boc for the position, while the National-Liberal Party (PNL), PSD, the Conservative Party (PC), the Hungarian minority party (UDMR) and the minorities wanted Klaus Johannis at the government's helm.
The president of PNL, Crin Antonescu, deems Basescu's nominee is “irresponsible” and mentioned Klaus Johannis will become Romania's prime-minister if he makes it to the Cotroceni Palace.
Antonescu said earlier today he rejects any other nominee for the premier position except that of Klaus Johannis, and announced the liberals will not vote for someone else in the Parliament.
He also mentioned they plan to apprise the Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) and to ask for a common session of the Parliament to discuss about the situation in case President Traian Basescu fails to agree with the premier proposal initiated by PNL, PSD+PC, UDMR and the minorities.
The social-democrat leader, Mircea Geoana, deems Romania's president called on “a political and constitutional blackmail” by nominating someone without parliamentary support, in a bid to keep the Boc government until the presidential elections. He deems Lucian Croitoru will not get the Parliament's vote.
On the other hand, Klaus Johannis said he is still interested in the position if Croitoru fails to receive the parliamentary approval.