Candidate for Romania's first female, Muslim PM rejected

Romania’s president sparks fresh political turmoil Tuesday after rejecting a proposal by the election-winning leftist party to name the EU country’s first female and first Muslim prime minister.

Klaus Iohannis gives no reasons for his rejection of Sevil Shhaideh, put forward by the Social Democrats (PSD), but there was speculation that it may be due to her Syrian husband’s background.

“I have properly analyzed the arguments for and against and I have decided not to accept this proposal,” the president tells reporters in a televised statement.

“I call on the PSD coalition to make another proposal,” Iohannis says.

The PSD had suggested the previously little-known Shhaideh, 52, after its thumping poll victory on December 11 when it won 45 percent of the vote.

— AFP