January 10 (SeeNews) - Romanian prime minister Ludovic Orban said on Friday that together with president Klaus Iohannis he will aim to trigger an early general election by the middle of this year.
"I say it clearly, together with president Klaus Iohannis I have decided that it is best for Romania to hold snap parliamentary elections," Orban said in a televised statement following a meeting with the president.
Orban did not say whether he will resign or wait for a censure motion against its Liberal government in order to trigger a snap vote.
According to Orban, it would be good if an early vote for members of parliament is held alongside the local elections scheduled for June.
A working group has been established to conduct negotiations with political parties in order to trigger a snap election, the prime minister added.
Romania is expected to hold its next regular parliamentary elections in March 2021.
The Orban cabinet was voted into office in early November after the Social-Democrat government led by Viorica Dancila lost a vote of no-confidence.
Latest opinion polls show that 45% of Romanians would vote for the National Liberal Party (PNL) led by Orban if general elections were held now, while only 18.5% would support the Social Democrat Party (PSD). Some 11.5% of respondents said they would vote Union Save Romania (USR) party, a poll conducted by IMAS for Europa FM showed.
The survey was conducted by IMAS during December 4-18. The sample consisted of 1,011 respondents aged 18 and older and eligible to vote. The margin of error does not exceed 3%.