Robert Sighiartău announces that the PNL will not enter government, but could support the Niculescu Government in the investiture vote

PNL will not join the government under the leadership of designated Prime Minister Luca Niculescu, but it could support the formation of the new Executive through a vote, the party’s secretary-general, Robert Sighiartău, said in an interview with RFI.

The Liberal explained that the party does not have sufficient parliamentary support to form a majority. PNL tried to build a majority around Siegfried Mureșan, but the negotiations were unsuccessful, while the party’s representation in Parliament stands at approximately 40%.

Sighiartău stressed that Romania needs a Government to overcome the political deadlock, whose effects are being felt including in the economy and in daily life. The decision on the investiture vote will be made after Niculescu presents his governing program and the composition of the Executive.

The designated Prime Minister is expected to first discuss with the parliamentary parties that have a larger number of elected representatives, especially PSD, and then with PNL as well. PSD granted Sorin Grindeanu a negotiating mandate, while USR is awaiting the governing program. AUR announced that it will not discuss the new Government until Georgescu is released from pretrial detention.

Luca Niculescu has ten days, starting on Tuesday, to form his team and present it to Parliament.