Prime Minister-designate Luca Niculescu stated on Friday that he does not aim to form a government with a short lifespan; he noted that he is conducting negotiations with party leaders and does not rule out the inclusion of politicians in the government.

'There are people I have considered, obviously I cannot name them, but this will also depend on the cabinet's makeup; after all, a technocratic cabinet is one thing, while a political cabinet, with representatives and parties proposing names, is another. Naturally, if political parties openly support you and wish to join the government, there will inevitably be party members involved,' Niculescu said on Digi24 when asked about ministerial nominations.

When asked whether Alexandru Nazare would remain at the Ministry of Finance in his cabinet, Niculescu replied: 'It is still too early to name names, but Alexandru Nazare is clearly a good minister. Beyond his contribution to reducing the deficit, he maintains good relationships with many international organizations and has engaged extensively with rating agencies, alongside colleagues from the National Bank and other representatives, making him one of the solid assets of the Romanian administration.'

The prime minister-designate stated that the work on the government program and the team lineup is proceeding 'in parallel,' noting, however, that specific names were not discussed during Thursday's talks with party representatives.

'The two processes are running in parallel. (...) We didn't talk about names [during the discussions with the parties]. Instead, we discussed the government program and the potential structure of the government,' Niculescu added.

He also remarked that there are positive elements in all the proposed government programs.

'Obviously, you can't simply dismiss the fact that Romania's deficit has decreased, even if that came at a painful cost to the people. There are things that could have been done better, though I am not the one to say that right now, because, once again, I am seeking to reach an understanding with all the parties capable of forming the majority I need. But yes, there are good points in all the programs. I have reviewed the programs of the three prime ministers designated so far and received proposals from the Social Democratic Party; there are positive aspects in all of them. I am working on this program by incorporating our own ideas, which, I admit, largely stem from OECD recommendations, because, as I have said, the OECD is an exceptional school of governance, not just some abstract organization based in Paris,' Niculescu further noted.

When asked if he was considering bringing PSD and PNL leaders Sorin Grindeanu and Ilie Bolojan to the same negotiating table, the prime minister-designate stated that while this is one option, the process is currently at a different stage of deliberation.

When asked whether he would also hold discussions with Adrian Vestea or other liberals, separate from Ilie Bolojan, he emphasized that he is engaging with the party leaders.

'I am talking to the party leaders. (...) I do not get involved in the internal politics of each party, but I have spoken with Mr. Sorin Grindeanu, Mr. Ilie Bolojan, Mr. Kelemen Hunor, and those around them. It is up to them to decide whom they bring to the negotiating table,' Niculescu added.

Asked about the PSD leader's call for a government backed by both the PNL and the UDMR, at least until March, Niculescu stated that he is preparing a governing program intended to last until the next elections.

'The governing program I am preparing covers the period leading up to the next elections. I do not believe Romania needs governments that have such a short expected lifespan from the very start.'

'On the other hand, I certainly want a government with the broadest possible support, to include these parties, but this discussion also hinges on the dynamics between these political groups,' the prime minister-designate added. AGERPRES(RO - writing by: Alina Novaceanu; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)

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