Romanian PM-Designate Calls On Liberals, Social Democrats To Negotiate Future Govt

Negoita, a democrat liberal designated prime minister Friday, called on parliament parties to negotiate a new Cabinet, but liberals and social democrats refused any such talks and the Hungarian minority party rescheduled a meeting for the meeting.

Negoita only talked to his fellow democrat liberals, independent lawmakers and the group representing national minorities, other than Hungarians.

Romanian party leaders are touring the country for their election campaign in view of presidential polls on November 22. Liberal presidential candidate and party leader Crin Antonescu said Saturday he sees no point in attending talks with Negoita, because the President Traian Basescu again defied the parliamentary majority when he designated him.

The social democrats' campaign manager Victor Ponta told MEDIAFAX Friday the party accepts talks with the prime minister-designate, but on Monday, together with all other parliamentary parties that now hold a majority of over 65%.

Liberal vice-president Ludovic Orban said Friday liberals have nothing to discuss with the prime minister-designate.

Negoita said he wants to form a coalition government and negotiations would start Friday and a proposed Cabinet list would be sent to Parliament Monday.

"My mission is clear. I want a national coalition government and negotiations start today. Romania needs financing and must follow through with its agreements with the IMF, World Bank and the European Commission," Negoita said after he was designated prime minister, adding politicians must be reasonable and give the country a government with full powers.

The International Monetary Fund and the European Commission put off loan disbursements to Romania because of the country's political uncertainty.

Romania received so far about EUR7 billion in IMF money and another EUR1.5 billion from the European Commission, out of a total EUR20 billion IMF-led bailout package.

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