Social Democratic Party (PSD) leader Sorin Grindeanu said on Thursday that the Social Democrats had set two conditions for Prime Minister-designate Luca Niculescu in order to support the future government: a change in economic policy and a committed parliamentary majority, particularly from the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR).

'We had constructive discussions with Prime Minister-designate Luca Niculescu. These discussions focused on two areas: economic and, clearly, political. From the perspective of the first, the economic component, we told Mr Niculescu what we want, namely a change in economic policy - and this is the PSD's condition for any political support. We want a major macroeconomic reconfiguration that will put an end to the aggressive impoverishment of Romanians. Romania's economic uncertainty must end here. That is why some of the PSD specialists who prepared the governing programme for the coming years were also present at today's discussions with the Prime Minister-designate. We discussed, obviously, and saw that Mr Niculescu has also announced some of these things, concrete measures related to redirecting and relaunching the economy, so that the hardship caused by the economic adjustments of recent times is no longer borne by pensioners, mothers, children and, above all, Romanian businesses,' Grindeanu said at the PSD headquarters.

He added that Niculescu had assured him 'that key ideas in the PSD programme will be reflected in his governing programme.'

'We are waiting for this governing programme to take shape, to ultimately see the solutions for people and for the economy. We expressed our willingness and told Mr Niculescu that some of our colleagues who worked on the governing programme are ready to play an active role in a continuous dialogue over the coming days until the programme is finalised,' the PSD leader said.

Regarding the political component of the discussions, the Social Democrats told the Prime Minister-designate that they wanted a committed majority and that they were not interested in government positions.

'Therefore, I particularly appeal to the PNL and UDMR to show political maturity and contribute to building a transparent majority, if PSD participation in government or in this joint undertaking is desired. If we do not find common ground on the economic project I have briefly outlined and if the other parties do not make a clear commitment, PSD will not hesitate to say 'no' to this political undertaking. Under normal circumstances, PSD should have been given the mandate to form a majority that could invest a government, and we could have built a majority, if you will, around the idea of change, because 80% of Romanians are calling for this change and MPs ultimately cannot ignore this demand. However, we have a designation in the person of Mr Niculescu. That is why my appeal is directed at the parties. They should set aside their political egos and think more about people, especially those who are watching us and waiting for solutions from us. The real confrontation during this period should not be between the parties on the political front,' Grindeanu said.

Following the consultations with PSD representatives, Prime Minister-designate Luca Niculescu was due to hold talks with the PNL at 14:00 and with the UDMR at 15:30. The meetings are taking place at the parties' headquarters. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Dana Piciu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)