Romania's President names Education Minister as interim PM, says will consult with civil society on next move

Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis announced on Thursday morning that he appointed Sorin Campeanu, the Education Minister as interim Prime Minister after Victor Ponta handed in his resignation on Wednesday morning. He also sent a very important message to the people that have been protesting in the streets of Bucharest and other cities in Romania on Tuesday and Wednesday, thanking them for the non-violent and unexaggerated manifestations. “I saw you, I heard you, and I will take your requests into account,” the President said. “I have decided that in addition to consulting with the political parties today and tomorrow, I will also talk tomorrow to a new actor: the civil society. I will call on Friday afternoon for consultations a group that represents both the civil society and the street. It is important for me and I want to know their opinions and options,” Iohannis added. There are several political options on the table. On the one hand, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) would like to name a new Prime Minister from its own ranks to continue the measures taken by Victor Ponta’s Government. They are also supported by former Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu’s Liberal Alliance ALDE. On the other hand, the National Liberal Party (PNL), the main opposition force, is asking for early elections, to “refresh” the Parliament, hoping to get a majority that would allow them to form the Government. Klaus Iohannis also has the option to name a Prime Minister from the liberal party that would form a minority Government, the first name at hand being former justice minister Catalin Predoiu, while another option is to name a politically independent person as Prime Minister to form a technocrat cabinet that would prepare for the parliamentary elections next year. There’s also the fifth option of a national union Government, which would include both the social democrats and the liberals, but this is unlikely to happen. Only one of these options is closer to the street’s voice, as protesters have been shouting against all the political class, and that is the technocrat Government. However, the biggest risk with such a choice is that the Parliament wouldn’t support the Government and block all its initiatives. This is why, another faction of the protesters have been asking for early elections, like the liberals did. This also has an important downside, as the early elections wouldn’t really produce a renewal of the Parliament, as the same parties would be involved. Having the elections next year would allow for the street to produce one or two new political movements that would promote their demands and principles. Such initiatives have already started on Facebook, where various groups are trying to come up with personalities to lead their quest aimed at changing the system.