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Romania Chooses Left-Leaning Government Romania Chooses Left-Leaning Government
(35 minutes later)
BUCHAREST, Romania — The Romanian Parliament approved a new left-leaning coalition government on Wednesday, ending weeks of uncertainty about who would lead a country that has been a staunch member of the European Union and NATO.BUCHAREST, Romania — The Romanian Parliament approved a new left-leaning coalition government on Wednesday, ending weeks of uncertainty about who would lead a country that has been a staunch member of the European Union and NATO.
Sorin Grindeanu, 43, a former minister of communications and a compromise candidate, was named prime minister. He beat his Social Democratic Party’s first choice, Sevil Shhaideh, a member of the country’s Tatar minority who would have become the country’s first female and first Muslim prime minister.Sorin Grindeanu, 43, a former minister of communications and a compromise candidate, was named prime minister. He beat his Social Democratic Party’s first choice, Sevil Shhaideh, a member of the country’s Tatar minority who would have become the country’s first female and first Muslim prime minister.
The Social Democrats came to power in a national election on Dec. 11 on the promise of increasing government spending for health care, salaries and pensions. On Wednesday, Mr. Grindeanu said his government would raise the minimum wage, and improve access to free prescription drugs. He also promised to create better-paying jobs in the country so that Romanians would not seek work abroad. The Social Democrats came to power in a national election on Dec. 11 on the promise of increasing government spending for health care, salaries and pensions. On Wednesday, Mr. Grindeanu said his government would raise the minimum wage and improve access to free prescription drugs. He also promised to create better-paying jobs so that Romanians would not seek work abroad.
The president, Klaus Iohannis, swore in the new cabinet and urged its members to strengthen the country’s judiciary and shore up its foreign relations.The president, Klaus Iohannis, swore in the new cabinet and urged its members to strengthen the country’s judiciary and shore up its foreign relations.
“You have to deliver what you promised in the electoral campaign,” he told the cabinet members. “I expect that you keep clear, visible and declared the Euro-Atlantic orientation of Romania. You swore that you would do everything you can for a mature democracy in Romania. We cannot imagine in Europe a democracy without an independent justice and the rule of law.”“You have to deliver what you promised in the electoral campaign,” he told the cabinet members. “I expect that you keep clear, visible and declared the Euro-Atlantic orientation of Romania. You swore that you would do everything you can for a mature democracy in Romania. We cannot imagine in Europe a democracy without an independent justice and the rule of law.”
The selection of a prime minister was thrown into confusion last week when Ms. Shhaideh was rejected for the post by Mr. Iohannis, apparently because of her Syrian-born husband’s support for the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. Ms. Shhaideh was instead named deputy prime minister and minister of regional development.The selection of a prime minister was thrown into confusion last week when Ms. Shhaideh was rejected for the post by Mr. Iohannis, apparently because of her Syrian-born husband’s support for the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria. Ms. Shhaideh was instead named deputy prime minister and minister of regional development.
The natural pick for the job, the party’s leader, Liviu Dragnea, was barred from becoming prime minister after a 2015 conviction for electoral fraud.The natural pick for the job, the party’s leader, Liviu Dragnea, was barred from becoming prime minister after a 2015 conviction for electoral fraud.
Though Mr. Dragnea will not hold any official role in the new cabinet, analysts expect that he will wield influence from behind the scenes.Though Mr. Dragnea will not hold any official role in the new cabinet, analysts expect that he will wield influence from behind the scenes.
“The real prime minister is Liviu Dragnea. This is the personal cabinet of Dragnea,” said Cristian Pirvulescu, dean of the political science department at the National School of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest.“The real prime minister is Liviu Dragnea. This is the personal cabinet of Dragnea,” said Cristian Pirvulescu, dean of the political science department at the National School of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest.
Professor Pirvulescu said few of the new ministers were politically inexperienced. “It is not a political government but a party government. This is a real problem for the country,” he added. Professor Pirvulescu said few of the new ministers were politically experienced. “It is not a political government but a party government. This is a real problem for the country,” he added.
Members of the cabinet who have more political experience also have more political baggage.Members of the cabinet who have more political experience also have more political baggage.
Some Romanians have said they are concerned that the Social Democrats will rein in the country’s successful anti-corruption efforts. The appointment of Florin Iordache as justice minister did little to allay those fears. Mr. Iordache was involved in a 2013 effort to bolster immunity for politicians. Some Romanians have said they are concerned that the Social Democrats will rein in the country’s successful anticorruption efforts. The appointment of Florin Iordache as justice minister did little to allay those fears. Mr. Iordache was involved in a 2013 effort to bolster immunity for politicians.
Mr. Grindeanu, the new prime minister, said that the fight against corruption should be firm, “but equally firm should be the defense of fundamental human rights.”Mr. Grindeanu, the new prime minister, said that the fight against corruption should be firm, “but equally firm should be the defense of fundamental human rights.”
The choice for foreign minister, Teodor Melescanu, 75, a career diplomat, however, was praised by some analysts. “It is good that we have an experienced foreign affairs minister, since Romania is going to have the E.U. presidency” in 2019, said Radu Magdin, director of Smartlink Communications, a political consulting group.The choice for foreign minister, Teodor Melescanu, 75, a career diplomat, however, was praised by some analysts. “It is good that we have an experienced foreign affairs minister, since Romania is going to have the E.U. presidency” in 2019, said Radu Magdin, director of Smartlink Communications, a political consulting group.
Mr. Magdin said he believed that the new government would be more assertive internationally, “but not in an aggressive way.” In order to deliver on economic targets, he said, the government will need to negotiate with Europe.Mr. Magdin said he believed that the new government would be more assertive internationally, “but not in an aggressive way.” In order to deliver on economic targets, he said, the government will need to negotiate with Europe.