Romanian President Basescu Hopes for New Government by Dec 24

"I hope we will have a government in place before December 24 [...] We have a single issue now - to give Romania a government which can tackle the crisis," Basescu told reporters.

Romanian companies, operating mainly in the construction, car making and chemical sectors, have been seriously hit by the global crisis which has made them lay off staff or send workers on leave for indefinite periods of time in order to cut costs and stay afloat.

Basescu said he has invited for talks on Friday the leaders of the four parties that had made it to the new parliament to decide on the nomination of the country's new premier.

The Democratic-Liberal Party, PD-L, linked with Basescu, has won most seats in each of the two chambers of parliament. The Social Democratic Party, PSD, which won the most votes on Sunday, has three seats less than PD-L due to recent changes in the election law and redistribution of votes.