Romania's president to appoint Marcel Ciolacu as PM; new pro-European coalition to tackle budget deficit, tax hikes, and re-run elections after far-right meddling.
Romania's outgoing president Klaus Iohannis designated leftist Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to form a new government on Monday after three pro-European parties agreed details of a coalition that gave them a parliamentary majority.
The coalition government, which is expected to receive parliament's vote of confidence later on Monday includes Ciolacu's Social Democrats, centre-right Liberals and the ethnic Hungarian Party UDMR. Including minority representatives, the coalition controls about 54% of seats in the legislative.
Three consecutive ballots to elect a new president and parliament in the European Union and NATO state which shares the longest land border with Ukraine descended into chaos when a little-known far-right pro-Russian politician won the first presidential round on Nov. 24. Amid suspicions of Russian interference, the top court annulled the election.
The new government will need to approve a calendar for a new two-round presidential election. The three parties in the coalition agreed to back a single presidential candidate to prevent the far right from winning. Their candidate at the moment is Crin Antonescu, a former Liberal Party leader.
"I am aware it won't be an easy mandate, it is essential that this government regain investors' confidence," Ciolacu told reporters.
Romania's new cabinet will also have the daunting task of lowering the budget deficit from an expected 8.6% of economic output this year - the EU's largest - to around 7% in 2025 and ratings agencies and analysts expect tax hikes.
Millions of voters in Romania, Poland, and Portugal will head to the polls this Sunday, with crucial elections that could shape the future of their countries amid rising political tensions.
George Simion, a far-right, eurosceptic politician, emerged as the clear winner in the first round of Romania's presidential election re-run on Sunday, securing 41% of the vote. He will face Bucharest's Mayor Nicusor Dan, who came in second with 21%, in a runoff scheduled for May 18.
Populist candidate George Simion is on track to win the first round of Romania’s presidential election, fueling concerns over the country’s future direction.
On the sidelines of the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Energy, Parviz Shahbazov, held bilateral meetings with Bulgarian Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov and Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian-Ioan Burduja.
Romanians vote Sunday in a rerun presidential election with far-right eurosceptic George Simion leading the polls, a potential upset that could unsettle markets and raise alarms in the EU and NATO.
President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. is close to a nuclear agreement with Iran, though both sides remain divided on key conditions.
The UK has announced a raft of investment for international initiatives to support UN peacekeeping activity.
Authorities in Chad have reported fatalities and injuries following a violent incident in the country’s southwest, with limited details provided about those involved.
Drone attacks in Khartoum state caused power outages, escalating Sudan's ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin might be skipped if a ceasefire agreement is reached during technical talks in Istanbul. He also called for increased sanctions if Russia shows no willingness to end the war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
EU approves 17th Russia sanctions, blacklisting almost 200 shadow‑fleet ships, 30 evasion firms and 75 defence figures, banning missile chemicals and arming Brussels to strike Kremlin hybrid and operations.
Vice President JD Vance will represent the United States at the Vatican this Sunday for the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected leader of the Catholic Church.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed willingness to engage in peace talks with India, following the de-escalation of the most serious military standoff between the two countries in nearly 30 years.
President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. is close to a nuclear agreement with Iran, though both sides remain divided on key conditions.
The UK has announced a raft of investment for international initiatives to support UN peacekeeping activity.
Authorities in Chad have reported fatalities and injuries following a violent incident in the country’s southwest, with limited details provided about those involved.
President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. is close to a nuclear agreement with Iran, though both sides remain divided on key conditions.
The UK has announced a raft of investment for international initiatives to support UN peacekeeping activity.
Authorities in Chad have reported fatalities and injuries following a violent incident in the country’s southwest, with limited details provided about those involved.
Drone attacks in Khartoum state caused power outages, escalating Sudan's ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin might be skipped if a ceasefire agreement is reached during technical talks in Istanbul. He also called for increased sanctions if Russia shows no willingness to end the war.
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