Designated Prime Minister Luca Niculescu submitted the government program and the list of ministers proposed for the future Cabinet to Parliament on Thursday. Hearings in the specialized committees are scheduled for Monday, October 19, while the investiture vote is expected to take place on Tuesday, October 20.
The proposed Government will have 17 ministries. PSD is expected to hold 11 portfolios, while the other six positions will go to independent ministers. The leadership of Parliament is to officially establish the timetable for the procedure.
PSD decided to enter government, arguing that Romania urgently needs a functioning executive to manage the economic situation, the budget revision, the preparation of the 2027 budget, and the absorption of European funds.
PNL and UDMR announced that they would support the Government's investiture, although the liberals stated that they would remain in opposition. USR intends to vote against. A total of 233 votes are required for investiture, and Niculescu could count on at least 254.
Luca Niculescu was designated prime minister by President Nicușor Dan following the dismissal of the Bolojan Government on May 5. This is the fourth nomination for the position of prime minister.
Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs: Marian Neacșu (PSD)
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure: Ștefan-Ovidiu Popa (PSD)
Minister of Finance: Alexandru Nazare (Independent)
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Sebastian-Dănuț Neculăescu (Independent)
Minister of Justice: Radu Marinescu (PSD)
Minister of National Defense: Ștefan-Radu Oprea (PSD)
Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism: Daniel-Cătălin Zamfir (PSD)
Minister Delegate for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence: Costinel-Bogdan Dumitru (Independent)
Minister of Energy: Dumitru Chisăliță (Independent)
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development: Florin-Ionuț Barbu (PSD)
Minister of Environment, Waters and Forests: Natalia-Elena Intotero (PSD)
Minister of Development, Public Works and Administration: Marcel-Alexandru Stoica (PSD)
Minister of Investments and European Projects: Alexandru-Mihai Ghigiu (PSD)
Minister of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity: Petre Florin Manole (PSD)
Minister of Health: Alexandru-Florin Rogobete (PSD)
Minister of Education and Research: Valentin-Sorin Costreie (Independent)
Minister Delegate for Pre-university Education: Sorin-Gabriel Ionescu (PSD)
Minister of Culture: Ioana-Ruxandra-Victoria Ciocan (Independent)
Context: negotiations for the formation of the Niculescu Government and the schedule for submitting the program to Parliament
In the days preceding the submission, designated Prime Minister Luca Niculescu continued consultations with the parliamentary parties to obtain the support necessary for the government’s investiture. He had already held discussions with PSD, PNL and UDMR, while Monday’s round included meetings with USR, representatives of the parliamentary group of national minorities, and the PACE – Întâi România and Uniți pentru România groups.
Niculescu presented the rapid installation of a stable executive as an objective and identified budgetary rectification, increased revenue collection, reform of state-owned companies and adoption of the 2027 budget as priorities. At the same time, he mentioned the possibility of a political support agreement for a limited period, so that measures considered urgent could be adopted.
The discussions took place against the backdrop of a political deadlock, following the dismissal of the Bolojan Government, while President Nicușor Dan was mentioned as possibly presenting the decree dissolving Parliament if the parties failed to reach a transparent agreement to support the Niculescu Cabinet. In this context, PSD called for an assumed and transparent majority, PNL announced that it would not govern alongside PSD but would grant an installation vote, while UDMR indicated that it would support the investiture even if it did not become part of the executive.
