Marcel Ciolacu takes the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)
BUCHAREST, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Romania's new government, headed by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, was sworn in on Monday shortly after securing a vote of confidence in Parliament.
The pro-European coalition government, comprising the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) and the national minorities, ends a month of political uncertainty marked the annulment of presidential election results.
"I ask you to succeed for Romania and for Romanians. People expect solutions, stability, and a government that firmly maintains Romania's pro-European trajectory," President Klaus Iohannis said after the swearing-in ceremony at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
Iohannis mentioned two major challenges for the new government: preparing the "complicated" 2025 budget and setting the electoral calendar for the presidential election.
Earlier in the day, the coalition cabinet was validated with 240 votes in favor and 143 against at a joint plenary session of the 450-seat bicameral legislature, surpassing the 233 votes required for approval.
Despite the difficulties ahead, Ciolacu expressed confidence in his government's potential. "I trust all the members of this team. They are people with great experience and solid professional expertise," said Ciolacu, who also leads the PSD.
He emphasized the benefits of political stability, noting that Romania's borrowing rates on international markets had already begun to drop following the parliamentary vote.
Ciolacu's cabinet consists of the prime minister, 16 ministers, and three deputy prime ministers -- one from PSD without portfolio, and two with portfolios from PNL and UDMR. ■
Marcel Ciolacu takes the oath of office during a swearing-in ceremony at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)
Marcel Ciolacu (L) gives his signed oath to Romanian President Klaus Iohannis during a swearing-in ceremony at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)
Members of Romania's new government headed by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu attend a swearing-in ceremony at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)
Members of Romania's new government headed by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu attend a swearing-in ceremony at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)
Marcel Ciolacu (1st R) and members of Romania's new government attend a swearing-in ceremony at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)
