The Senate President, Liberal Mircea Abrudean said on Monday that the National Liberal Party (PNL) wants a fully empowered Government to be installed as soon as possible, but the party's position will be decided by its leadership bodies after the head of state designates a prime minister.

'We will attend the consultations, and I will be part of the PNL delegation, we are going with a sense of responsibility and openness to dialogue. We will see what proposal the President of Romania puts forward, with the designation of a prime minister being absolutely necessary. The PNL will then decide whether or not to support such a designation, taking into account several criteria, not just the designated prime minister. (...) Romania's latest rating confirmed to us that the fiscal and budgetary consolidation measures were correct, the reforms were correct and attracting European funds must continue to be a priority for the future Government, which we want to see installed as soon as possible,' Abrudean said at the Senate.

He said that the PNL doesn't want to 'block Romania.'

'Romania needs a stable, fully empowered government, and the PNL will analyse the proposal taking these criteria into account. The PNL's decision to move into opposition was taken previously. (...) We have in fact moved past the point when the PNL proposed a solution that was rejected by Parliament, we will see what solution the President of Romania proposes and will analyse it based on the criteria I have already mentioned. We do not want to block Romania in any way. This five-month period in which Romania was blocked - not through PNL's fault, as we tried to ensure the country's stability through the Bolojan interim Government, with the limited powers it had - we managed to close the PNRR, we managed to maintain Romania's rating in order to continue attracting investment, so I do not think there is any question of the PNL not acting with the utmost responsibility,' Abrudean added.

Asked whether the PNL is willing to vote for the formation of any type of Government, Abrudean said: 'Any decision will be taken after we see the President's official proposal, a possible team of ministers and a governing programme, as well as the majority backing this proposal. The red lines we had remain red lines, with the mention that any proposal will be analysed taking into account the programme, the designated prime minister, the team of ministers and the direction this possible Government wishes to take. The PNL's position has not changed.'

President Nicusor Dan convened consultations with the leaders and representatives of the political parties and parliamentary groups to designate a candidate for the office of Prime Minister. The PNL delegation is scheduled to attend the consultations at 15:00. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Livia Popescu; EN - writing by: Rodica State)