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Romanian President Iohannis names new PM

November 5, 2015

The education minister has been named prime minister after the former premier stepped down in response to anti-government protests. The political shift in Bucharest comes in response to a deadly fire at a nightclub.

https://p.dw.com/p/1H0V1
Rumänien Präsident Klaus Iohannis
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Ghement

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said Thursday that he named Education Minister Sorin Campeanu as interim premier after former Prime Minister Victor Ponta stepped down on Wednesday following anti-government protests.

"I have a message for protesters. I saw you, I heard you, I will take into account your demands," Iohannis noted in a statement.

"Sorin Campeanu will take over as interim," Iohannis said.

The announcement follows two consecutive days of protests in response to a fire at the Bucharest nightclub Colectiv, which left more than 30 people dead and over 180 injured, with several still in critical condition.

Reaching out to the masses

"I will meet a group which represents civil society and the street. It is important for me. I want to know their wishes and opinions," Iohannis added.

The Romanian president also said he will hold talks with political parties in the coming days.

Campeanu's job will be to form a new government, which the Romanian parliament must approve.

The legislative body has two opportunities to formally accept the new government. Failure to do so would lead to early elections being called.

The blaze that erupted Friday night at the Colectiv nightclub prompted a public outcry for accountability, bringing thousands of protesters to the Romanian capital's streets on Tuesday and Wednesday night.

ls/kms (Reuters, AP)