Romanian Liberals Enter Opposition, Blast President’s Choice Of PM

"The fact that the president nominated a politician, Emil Boc, who ran the Government in the poorest fashion since 1990 and who was the only prime minister ousted by the Parliament, clearly shows the president cares little about such matters. Thus it seems the only criterion a prime minister should observe is complete and utter docility towards the president," Antonescu said.

He added Boc's nomination shows president Basescu is "consistent with his actions in the first term as president".

Antonescu said Boc is "the poorest choice in the face of the crisis", adding the liberals' confidence in Boc is "zero to minus".

"They will make the Government and we will remain in opposition," the liberal head said.

The official concluded saying he was contacted by Boc and he told him that, from a liberal standpoint, the Government will be instated "as quickly as possible".

Romania's newly reelected President Traian Basescu Thursday designated democrat liberal leader and acting Prime Minister Emil Boc to head the country's new government.

Boc's Cabinet collapsed in a no-confidence vote in Parliament in October after social democrats switched to opposition, but his government has remained in office with limited powers because the Parliament thumbed down the cabinet proposed by economist Lucian Croitoru and then refused to even hold a vote on a second prime minister-designate.

Boc's Democratic Liberal Party has the most seats in Parliament, 167, but these are not enough to push through a new Cabinet as 236 votes are required. The future government so far has the support of the Hungarian minority party, independent lawmakers and of national minorities in Parliament.

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