Ilie Bolojan - appointed prime minister by President Dan on Friday

President Nicusor Dan appointed Ilie Bolojan, interim leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL), as prime minister on Friday.

On Thursday, the head of state held consultations with the parties and political groups represented in Parliament to nominate a candidate for prime minister.

"I nominate Mr. Ilie Bolojan as prime minister. I would like to thank the parties that will form the parliamentary majority for these weeks of discussions. It is in Romania's interest that the government be supported by a solid majority, and the parties have understood this. It is also in Romania's interest that the political forces in the majority supporting the government work together, and I am confident that they will do so," the president said.

He also referred to the duration of negotiations on the formation of the new Executive.

"Obviously, it was a legitimate question from society why these discussions lasted a month. On the one hand, we have the example of consolidated democracies where negotiations to form a multi-party government take much longer than a month. On the other hand, there were important, sensitive issues and difficult measures that the parties undertook for the government, and none of the days we spent in these discussions was a wasted day," said the head of state.

Nicusor Dan stated that "the urgent need for Romania is economic recovery," but that this requires "a solid foundation."

The head of state emphasized the issue of the deficit.

"We must work, and the responsibility lies with the government and the coalition that supports it. We need to correct the financial deficit in order to lay the foundations for the Romanian economy, with all its potential, to develop and bring prosperity to Romanians," said Nicusor Dan.