The leaders of the two main ruling parties in Romania, Nicolae Ciuca (Liberal Party - PNL) and Marcel Ciolacu (Social Democrats - PSD), are reportedly discussing the option of leaving out of the government the ethnic Hungarians' party UDMR amid this month's planned rotation of seats, including the prime minister seat.

President Klaus Iohannis said that he expects the final form of the rotation to be completed sometime next week.

According to Digi24, UDMR will no longer receive a seat in the future cabinet to be headed by Social Democrat leader Ciolacu. PNL reportedly wants the Ministry of Development, which is the one that manages the budget funds allocated to local barons, while PSD wants the Ministry of Environment – both ministries currently controlled by UDMR.

According to the discussions, the Ministry of Sports would be merged with that of Youth and Family.

Not only the three minister seats are at stake in the negotiations between PNL and PSD. UDMR has 84 representatives in different administration structures, ministries and institutions.

iulian@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea)