Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu appointed interim PM in Romania

The current Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu (in picture) has been named interim Prime Minister after Emil Boc resigned earlier this morning. Two names have emerged as possible replacements for the PM in the meantime: the head of Romanian intelligence service Cristian Marior and the head of foreign intelligence Mihai Razvan Ungureanu.

Predoiu, a 44-year old lawyer, was previously Justice Minister in the Government led by former National Liberal Party Calin Popescu Tariceanu, during Traian Basescu's first presidential mandate.

Political sources said Monday that a technocrat is most likely to be appointed prime minister, but the final decision depends on talks between President Traian Basescu and the parliamentary parties. The Government will not be solely technocrats, even though the key ministries are willing to choose technocrat options. Liberal Democratic Party leader Theodor Stolojan said today ( February 6 ) that this is a typical attitude for the Romanian Government; if something works, change it. National Liberal Party leader Crin Antonescu said that Emil Boc Government's resignation is the first step to resolving the political crisis and that this would pave the way for starting early parliamentary elections. Liberal Social Union leader Victor Ponta said that the resignation of Prime Minister Emil Boc is the first step to trigger early elections, saying that the opposition is open to discuss any "responsible formula". Honorary President of the Social Democratic Party Ion Iliescu said that the resignation of the Boc Government is a realistic first step and that it must be followed by formation of a technocrat government to prepare early elections. Minister of Regional Development and Tourism Elena Udrea said that Emil Boc's decision was made for the good the country and that he left to make room for a better government. When asked if the new Prime Minister will be a member of the Liberal Democratic Party or a technocrat Udrea replied that she doesn’t know because this decision is yet to be discussed. More about Emil Boc's resignation in our story here. Alex Camburu, alex.camburu@romania-insider.com (photo source: Gov.ro)