site.btaUPDATED Romania's PM Rotation Postponed Over Teachers' Strike

Romania's PM Nicolae Ciuca said Friday in Bucharest during an extraordinary press conference that he will not resign as prime minister of Romania and the rotation of the government will not take place until problems with education and the teachers' strike are resolved. He was speaking along with the other two leaders of the ruling National Coalition for Romania - Social Democratic Party head Marcel Ciolacu and Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania head Hunor Kelemen. 

Ciuca was due to step down as prime minister on Friday in order to pass the baton to President of the Chamber of Deputies and leader of the Social Democrats, Marcel Ciolacu, and to implement the rotation of power between the coalition partners.

Ciuca stressed that he will not resign and run away from responsibility until the crisis is resolved. He said that LEI 8 billion have been allocated for education reforms since 2022 and called on the striking teachers to be rational.  

He added that the issues in question have been accumulating for 30 years and the demanded funds cannot be allocated instantly. 

Chuka was backed by his would-be successor to the post prime minister, Marcel Ciolacu, who said that the announced decision was justified and the changes in the government could not take place in a tense environment. 

Ciolacu said that the leaders took the decision together. They have agreed that the number one priority in the government's agenda are teachers and the healthcare system. 

The decision to call off the rotation was taken after emergency consultations on Thursday evening, the three coalition leaders said. They did not want to answer questions from the media, although they were asked for details about the decision.