Marcel Ciolacu makes a statement after being reappointed prime minister by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis at Cotroceni palace in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Monday that he had officially appointed Marcel Ciolacu, the Social Democratic Party leader and incumbent prime minister, to lead the country's new government, according to media reports. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

BUCHAREST, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday nominated incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to lead a new pro-European coalition government, aiming to resolve the political crisis following the annulment of a presidential election.

"This coalition aims to regain the trust of citizens," said Ciolacu, leader of the Social Democratic Party, acknowledging the challenges of his mandate amid political and public trust crises.

The appointment followed a controversial presidential race where independent candidate Calin Georgescu advanced to a runoff, and Ciolacu placed third.

Allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference led the Constitutional Court to annul the race days before the Dec. 8 runoff.

The new coalition government is expected to comprise the Social Democratic Party, the National Liberal Party, the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania, and representatives of national minorities.

The coalition also agreed on a common pro-European candidate for the rerun of the presidential election, the date of which is yet to be announced. ■

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu (L) shakes hands with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis at Cotroceni palace in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Monday that he had officially appointed Marcel Ciolacu, the Social Democratic Party leader and incumbent prime minister, to lead the country's new government, according to media reports. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis announces the nomination of Marcel Ciolacu as prime minister at Cotroceni palace in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Monday that he had officially appointed Marcel Ciolacu, the Social Democratic Party leader and incumbent prime minister, to lead the country's new government, according to media reports. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)