Prime Minister-designate Adrian Vestea said he would keep the Bolojan Government's governing programme in its entirety, updating only certain deadlines, and stressed that the list of ministers he proposes will reflect the political formula underpinning the new parliamentary majority and must include highly qualified individuals whose credentials cannot be challenged.

Asked on Monday by Radio Romania Actualitati about the timetable for the investiture of the new government, Vestea replied: 'After I hold discussions today with our colleagues from the National Liberal Party, my intention is to present a government. The governing programme is already in place, I am merely updating it because there are a number of dates and deadlines that were set last year when the Bolojan Government took office. I am currently updating it and will keep it in its entirety, without adding anything, so as not to give rise to discussions. Afterwards, we will discuss portfolios, both from the perspective of the political formula that will establish the new majority and the names of those who will be nominated for positions in the future government.'

He was asked whether he would rely on the support of National Liberal Party (PNL) MPs given that there are differing views within the party regarding his nomination for the post of prime minister.

'There are different opinions. The President's decision yesterday certainly came as a surprise to many people, but I intend to fulfil my mandate as the person responsible for forming the Government. I have a sense of duty, I have responsibility towards the country and I have an obligation to accomplish this during the course of this week. I do not believe there is any need for further discussions, analyses or speculation. I will be pragmatic. I will not spend days waiting. On the contrary, within a few days I will take over in full the governing programme of the Bolojan Government, which was agreed by all parties, without changing a single comma. I will then present a list of ministers who possess integrity and professional expertise, so that we do not waste time discovering offices in ministries or trying to understand the job description of a particular ministry. Instead, we can get to work from the very next day and help Romania out of its current situation,' Vestea said.

Asked where the votes required for the government's investiture would come from, the prime minister-designate said he was counting on the support of 'responsible' members of Parliament.

'From all those who are responsible. As I said, I spoke with the President of Romania and I believe there are responsible people in all political parties. For that reason, I am fully convinced that this government will be approved. If people begin to enjoy this situation of unpredictability and uncertainty, and the inability to make decisions for the country, then it means we are not treating the period we are currently facing appropriately,' Vestea argued.

He added that he had not spoken with the PNL leader since being nominated as prime minister, although he had sent him a message and had received no reaction so far.

'After the nomination, I sent him a message, but I have not received any reaction up to this moment. We are due to speak later today. It is true that everyone was surprised. I surprised my own family and had to provide many explanations yesterday. However, I believe I made the right and responsible decision at a critical moment, one that anyone who respects the position to which they have been nominated and the political path they have followed should assume and act upon for the benefit of our country,' Vestea said. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Florea; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)