Romanian prime minister nominated

In a bid to end a prolonged political crisis after a top court annulled the presidential election, Romania’s president on Monday nominated incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to lead a new pro-European coalition government.

After deliberations with Romania’s political parties, President Klaus Iohannis nominated Ciolacu of the leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD) to try to form a government.

Ciolacu, whose party topped the polls in a Dec. 1 parliamentary election, has served as prime minister since June last year.

It is widely seen as a tactical push to shut out far-right nationalists who made significant gains in parliament, revealing widespread anti-establishment sentiment.

“It will not be an easy mandate for the future government,” Ciolacu said in a statement Monday.

“We are aware that we are in the midst of a deep political crisis. It is also a crisis of trust, and this coalition ai