Nicușor Dan, the Romanian President, has proposed his adviser and Renew MEP Eugen Tomac as the country’s next prime minister, amid difficult negotiations between political parties in a hung parliament.

The mandate of the outgoing government was ended by a no-confidence vote May 5.

Despite his staunch pro-Western credentials, in keeping with Dan’s promise of pushing for such a government, Tomac is not guaranteed to pass the parliamentary vote required for taking the post.

Eurosceptic and pro-Russian forces represent about 25 percent of Romanian MPs and the rest are divided by strong disagreements over fiscal reforms.

Romania must adopt painful spending cuts to get its deficit in line with EU requirements, on which depend billions in recovery funds. The government has the summer period to achieve these reforms, and Tomac’s own political formation, the Popular Movement Party (PMP) has no sitting MPs in Bucharest.

Under the rules of Romanian politics an early general election would be triggered if the parliament rejects two official proposals for PM in a row.

“Because the parties do not agree with each other, the only solution is a prime minister independent of the parties in Parliament,” Dan said in a statement.

Tomac added: “I will present to the Romanian Parliament a team of specialists, a technical government, not a political one. We will maintain the direction you have set, of EU membership, of strengthening the partnership with the US, of the North Atlantic relationship as a whole.”

Tomac’s appointment is emblematic of the international cross-currents Romania is subject to, said Raluca Nita, the owner of Global Media Consulting, a firm specialised in public affairs and regulatory advice.

The MEP has been an advocate of unification with neighbouring Moldova and is close to ex-Romanian president Traian Basescu, who was recently awarded Moldovan citizenship. He has also been vocal in criticising Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and supporting aid from Romania to Ukraine.

“A government led by Eugen Tomac would be highly symbolic,” Nita said “Born in Ukraine, raised in the Republic of Moldova, and consistently positioned against Russian influence, Tomac embodies many of the themes shaping today’s geopolitical momentum. For Nicușor Dan, closer integration with Moldova is increasingly becoming a positive counter-narrative to both Russian influence and the rise of sovereignist- populist parties.”

Constitutional rules give Tomac 10 days to form a majority in parliament.

(bw)