Niculescu, 55, won a parliamentary vote of confidence after putting together a minority government of leftists and technocrats following his nomination by centrist President Nicusor Dan, Reuters reported.
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It was Dan’s fourth attempt to install a government in the NATO and European Union member state since a pro-European broad coalition cabinet collapsed in early May.
Niculescu, who has served as a diplomat and deputy foreign minister and was formerly a journalist, secured 280 votes in parliament, easily passing the 233 required.
But he has a daunting task in trying to tackle Romania’s economic problems, and political analysts said his government could be short-lived.
He must try to make further cuts to one of the EU’s largest budget deficits while propping up a contracting economy, eliminating an additional turnover tax on companies and raising pensions that fiscal constraints kept frozen for two years.
“I am not asking for a blank check,” Niculescu told lawmakers before the vote. “I am asking you to understand Romania needs a government with full powers after so many months of crisis.”
