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Romania's PM-designate renouncing premiership

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-15 20:26

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Romania's Prime Minister designate Theodor Stolojan said Monday he would renounce the premiership in favor of a younger candidate.

Stolojan, the Romania's Prime Minister designate, gestures during an interview in Bucharest October 3, 2008. Stolojan said Monday he would renounce the premiership in favor of a younger candidate. [Agencies]

Stolojan, 65, said in a short statement that he would let Traian Basescu nominate somebody who will "give a hope to the young generation."

Stolojan was nominated by Basescu last week as prime minister designate following Nov. 30 elections.

Basescu was expected to make a statement shortly on Stolojan's decision.

The new government had been expected to face a parliament vote on Dec. 22 but it was unclear whether this would now be possible.

A former World Bank expert, Stolojan was prime minister between 1991 and 1992. He also served as finance minister.

Romania's coalition government will be formed by the left-leaning Social Democrats and the centrist Democratic Liberals who have about a 70 percent parliamentary majority. Stolojan is a member of the Democratic Liberal Party.

Although very experienced in economic issues and a loyal ally of Basescu, Stolojan was accused of being inflexible in political negotiations.