Romania's president Traian Basescu (in picture, right) has asked the country's political parties to meet him on Monday (December 17 ) at 10:00 at the Cotroceni Palace, to discuss Romania's new Prime Minister. Following the vote on December 9, which ended with the ruling coalition the Social Liberal Union (USL) winning the majority of the votes, the USL will nominate the current PM Victor Ponta (in picture, left).

The president has summoned representatives of all parties and national minorities. The USL leaders already had an informal meeting with the president last week, but nothing has been negotiated, according to USL leaders.

According to Romania's constitution, the president nominates the PM after the consultation with the political parties, who then creates the Government, which should be approved by the Parliament within ten days.

Commentators suggest that the new Government could be sworn in by the end of this week, should everything go according to plan. All eyes are on Traian Basescu, who has had a feud with the Prime Minister and who will most likely have to nominate Victor Ponta again for the PM seat.

editor@romania-insider.com