Romania moved closer to a new government as Prime Minister-designate Luca Niculescu submitted his programme and a 17-minister cabinet, 11 from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and six independent experts. The cabinet is expected to be backed by the PSD, the National Liberal Party (PNL), the UDMR and minority MPs, with committee hearings and a confidence vote due early next week. Priorities include revising the budget, adopting the 2027 budget before year-end, helping vulnerable people with winter bills and reviving the economy. Financial markets reacted positively, with government borrowing costs falling, the stock market up almost 2% and the national currency strengthening against the euro. In Brussels, President Nicușor Dan called for an “ambitious” EU budget for 2028–2034, and met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about Black Sea security after attacks on merchant vessels.
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Original headline: 12 - 17 October , 2026 - Radio Romania International
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