Romania's Social Democrats name 26-member Cabinet

Published January 03, 2017

FILE - In this May 20, 2015 file photo, Sevil Shhaideh, 52, stands at the Romanian presidency before being sworn in as regional development minister in Bucharest, Romania. Shhaideh, who had been poised to become the country's first female and Muslim prime minister was offered a job as deputy premier Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 after the country's president declined to nominate her for the top government job. (AP Photo/Octav Ganea, file) (The Associated Press)

A Romanian economist poised to become the country's female and Muslim prime minister has been offered a job as deputy premier.

Liviu Dragnea, chairman of the Social Democratic Party which won the Dec. 11 election, said Tuesday that Sevil Shhaideh, the party's first choice for premier, would serve as deputy premier and as regional development minster.

President Klaus Iohannis declined to nominate Shhaideh, a political novice, because of concerns about her Syria-born husband who posted on social media in support of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Parliament is expected to approve the 26-member coalition government Wednesday. It has four more ministries than the previous technocrat-led government.

Prime Minister-elect Sorin Grindeanu said: "We have a program to govern ... it urges us to show responsibility, modesty and respect for Romanians."

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/romanias-social-democrats-name-26-member-cabinet