Luca Niculescu, optimistic after discussions with UDMR to resolve the crisis

Designated Prime Minister Luca Niculescu said Thursday that he had found openness on the part of UDMR to finding a governance solution and breaking the political and economic deadlock. He made the statement after meeting with UDMR leader Kelemen Hunor and representatives of the party, as part of consultations on forming the new government.

The talks focused on the government program and priorities including healthcare, agriculture, local administration and reducing social inequalities. Niculescu said the meeting was “very good” and that he was optimistic after the first day of dialogue with PSD, PNL and UDMR.

The designated prime minister said several governance formulas were being considered: a political cabinet, a technocratic one or a hybrid version made up of political ministers and technocrats. He stressed that the talks were ongoing and that the decision on the composition of the future cabinet would be made later.

Asked whether he would resign his mandate if he failed to secure a parliamentary majority, Niculescu said he would assess the situation as negotiations progressed. He added that all the parties consulted considered it necessary to honor Romania’s fiscal and economic commitments.

For now, talks with AUR and S.O.S. Romania are not on the agenda, with the designated prime minister citing AUR’s position that it would not vote for the proposed government.