Independent PM-designate Luca Niculescu received with reluctance by parties in Romania

Romanian President Nicusor Dan nominated diplomat and former journalist Luca Niculescu as prime minister late Monday. Niculescu, who previously served as Romania's ambassador to France and as an interim deputy foreign minister, was selected in an effort to form a new government.

While the nomination has not immediately polarized the centrist parties required to build a parliamentary majority, the political reception remains characterized by reluctance. Observers note that while the initial reaction has been less divisive than previous designations, securing sufficient parliamentary support for Niculescu’s government is expected to be a complicated process.