Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Sorin Grindeanu said on Friday in Constanta that he hopes a solution will be found in the coming days to give Romania a fully empowered government, stressing that his party does not support a technocratic Cabinet.

'I saw last night, and I also said earlier in my remarks here, that all of a sudden Ilie Bolojan realised he wants a technocratic government. But what was wrong with the government proposed in May, with Tomac? Perhaps he did not like the person, but he could have said: 'I don't like Eugen Tomac, put forward another technocrat and I'll vote for him.' Now, suddenly, four months later, we are back to that option. What are the arguments? What has changed? These are things and questions that need to be answered. And not by us,' Grindeanu said.

The Social Democratic leader stressed that PSD would not support such a scenario.

'PSD does not support - and I am telling you directly - this scenario of a technocratic government,' Grindeanu said.

He said that if nominated for prime minister, he would transparently present the parliamentary majority on which he would rely.

'I cannot build hidden majorities and I would not agree to do such a thing. So I understand, let us say, UDMR's reservations from this perspective, because it wants a transparent majority. And if I am nominated for prime minister, I will obviously present, in a transparent manner, the majority on which I rely,' Grindeanu said.

The PSD leader added that 'everyone needs to tone things down a little' and focus on forming a government.

'I think everyone needs to tone things down a little, put populist issues aside, because we are seeing things of this kind during this period as well, and try to form a government (...). We need a fully empowered government,' he said.

Asked about the possibility of Luca Niculescu becoming prime minister, Grindeanu said he had seen no indication that Niculescu wanted the position.

'Has anyone actually asked Luca whether he wants it? I have seen this reported by sources. I know Luca Niculescu very well. I have known him since 2017, when I was prime minister and he was ambassador in Paris (...). He has very strong expertise in foreign policy. You are asking me to give my opinion on something I don't know is actually on the table. I don't know; I haven't seen any statement saying he wants it, nor have I seen anything saying the president wants him. We are speculating,' Grindeanu said.

The Social Democratic leader again called for a solution to be found to form a new government, arguing that if Romania were to move towards an early election, it could not be held before February 2027.

'We need a fully empowered government. If we enter an early-election scenario, you should know that, according to a timetable I worked out with my colleagues in Parliament, elections could not be held before February. That would mean an interim government remaining in place until February, and the problems would deepen. That is why my appeal is for a solution to be found,' the PSD president said.

Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Thursday that PNL regarded the formation of a transitional government based on technocrats as a feasible option, with its main task being to adopt the public policies needed to prepare for next year. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Cornelia Dumitru; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)

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