Johannis said he talked to political leaders over the phone this past week and accepted to be nominated prime minister if Geoana wins the presidential election on December 6.
Johannis has been backed for prime minister by all parliamentary parties except the democrat liberals, whose minority government collapsed in a no-confidence vote mid-October. However, President Traian Basescu designated economist Lucian Criotoru for the position, whose proposed Cabinet was also rejected in Parliament. Lawmakers have so far refused to vote on Basescu’s second proposition, democrat liberal Liviu Negoita.
Basescu emerged a winner in the country’s first round of presidential elections held on November 22, with 32.44% of the votes, followed closely by social democrat Geoana with 31.15%. The two will face each other in the election runoff this Sunday.
Liberals, the Hungarian minority party and national minorities represented in Parliament have teamed up to back Geoana for president.