Romania's Iohannis picks army general as prime minister

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis and new Prime minister-designate Nicolae Ciuca, a retired four-star army general, deliver a press statement in Bucharest, Romania October 21, 2021. George Calin/Inquam Photos via REUTERS

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis nominated retired four-star army general Nicolae Ciuca as prime minister designate on Thursday, tasking him with forming a centrist government to end a month-long policy stalemate.

"The political crisis must end. Now. Now, we all need to end this crisis, which has gone on for so long, given the pandemic crisis, the dramatic situation of hospitals while awaiting the winter," Iohannis said.

Ciuca, 54, a Liberal currently serving as Romania's caretaker defence minister, served in U.S.-led military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has 10 days to draft a Cabinet lineup and seek a parliamentary vote of confidence.

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis and new Prime minister-designate Nicolae Ciuca arrive to deliver a press statement in Bucharest, Romania October 21, 2021. George Calin/Inquam Photos via REUTERS

(Reporting by Radu Marinas; Editing by...)

Romania's President Klaus Iohannis and new Prime minister-designate Nicolae Ciuca, a retired four-star army general, deliver a press statement in Bucharest, Romania October 21, 2021. George Calin/Inquam Photos via REUTERS

Romania's new Prime minister-designate Nicolae Ciuca, a retired four-star army general, delivers a press statement alongside Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, in Bucharest, Romania October 21, 2021. George Calin/Inquam Photos via REUTERS