Ludovic Orban criticizes the future Niculescu Government and hopes the PNL will not vote for it in Parliament

Former Prime Minister Ludovic Orban criticizes the proposed formula for the future Niculescu Government and argues that the Executive should be called the “PSD-Dan Government,” following the publication of the list of Social Democratic ministers. Speaking Wednesday on the “Piața Victoriei” program, Orban said he hopes the PNL will not vote to invest the new Cabinet.

The Executive led by Prime Minister-designate Luca Niculescu is expected to have 17 ministries and one deputy prime minister position, to be held by Social Democrat Marian Neacșu. The PSD is expected to hold 11 portfolios, with proposed nominees including Florin Manole for Labor, Ștefan Ovidiu Popa for Transport, Radu Marinescu for Justice, Alexandru Rogobete for Health and Florin Barbu for Agriculture.

Orban described some of the nominations as “scandalous” and specifically criticized Radu Marinescu, in the context of his relationship with President Nicușor Dan. The leader of the Right Force said the prime minister-designate is the “PSD’s puppet,” arguing that a Cabinet with 11 Social Democratic ministers will act in accordance with PSD decisions.

He said that, in his view, the PNL should reject the proposed government formula, even though Liberal lawmakers had previously expressed their willingness to vote for a government with full powers. The final decision is to be made by the PNL’s National Political Bureau. Luca Niculescu is expected to submit the list of ministers and the government program to Parliament on Thursday.