Romania: PM-designate gives up mandate to form government

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania’s prime minister-designate has relinquished his mandate to try to form a new government after it appeared he did not have enough support in parliament to get his proposed Cabinet approved. Former army general Nicolae Ciuca of the National Liberal Party was set to put forward a new government on Wednesday. It was expected to fall short of the majority support needed after the opposition Social Democrat Party and the junior Save Romania Union (USR) party said they wouldn’t back Ciuca. Ciuca’s withdrawal  on Monday night prolongs a months-long political crisis in Romania as the European Union country of around 19 million people battles a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths.