BUCHAREST, Romania — Romania's Traian Basescu has named Mihai Razvan Ungureanu prime minister, and he is now the likely party candidate for the presidency when Basescu's term expires in 2014, a move that would echo Boris Yeltsin's promotion of Vladimir Putin more than a decade ago.
Since winning parliamentary approval earlier this month, the 43-year-old former foreign minister and intelligence head Ungureanu has restored the mood of the unpopular centrist Democrat Liberal Party before November parliamentary elections.
"[Ungureanu] is seen as the one able to revive the party," a PDL deputy said. "He stands a strong chance of winning the presidency of Romania two years from now."
(Reuters)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
