Opposition wants Romanian-German mayor to be prime minister

Following the collapse of the Romanian government on Tuesday the opposition has called for the Romanian-German mayor of Sibiu, Klaus Johannis, to be appointed as the new prime minister. The Romanian head of state Traian Băsescu, whose task it is to propose a candidate for the office, is however reticent about the proposal. The daily Gândul writes: "Why isn't Traian Băsescu happy about the potential appointment of Johannis to lead the government considering that the mayor of Sibiu … appears to have such great political support? For rational, politically-motivated reasons. … Accepting Johannis wouldn't improve the image of his opponent Crin Antonescu. … These days [Johannis] is frequently featured in the media, an entire legend has been created around his person, nourished by the good administration of Sibiu and the qualities of the ethnic German community - strictness, seriousness, stability, punctuality. This is not the kind of prime minister Băsescu wants. He doesn't want a government that helps the other side [in the presidential elections on November 22]."

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