New Romanian PM Proposes Fresh European Commissioners

In one of his first decisions after being confirmed in office by parliament, Romania's new Prime Minister, Ludovic Orban, has proposed two candidates, Siegfried Muresan and Adina Valean, as Romania's options to represent the country on the new European Commission. Its President-elect, Ursula von der Leyen, is expected to choose between them shortly.

Both Muresan and Valean belong to Orban's National Liberal Party, PNL, which is part the centre-right bloc, the European Popular Party, EPP.

Orban was designated prime minister by President Klaus Iohannis after a no-confidence vote in parliament toppled the Social Democratic government under Vioricas Dancila on October 10.

Orban had declared the designation of a new Romanian candidate for the Commission a priority after Brussels rejected four nominations put forward by his Social Democratic predecessor.

Unlike former prime minister Dancila's unsuccessful choices, both Muresan and Valean have the support of President Iohannis.

Problems in finding a suitable Romanian commissioner have delayed the formation of the upcoming European Commission, headed by Von ser Leyen, which was supposed to start work at the beginning of November.

The Romanian nominee chosen by Von der Leyen will be subjected to evaluation by the same EU control bodies that rejected Dancila's first choice, Social Democrat MEP Rovana Plumb, who was turned down due to a conflict of interest.