Romania's President re-Appoints Foe Ponta as PM after Polls

Romanian President Traian Basescu on Monday reappointed his arch-rival Victor Ponta as prime minister following elections, allaying fears of new political turmoil in one of EU's newest members.

Ponta's ruling center-left Social-Liberal Union (USL) won the December 9 parliamentary polls with 60 percent of the vote, well ahead of the center-right alliance supported by Basescu.

"Noting that political parties called in for talks on Monday came with a single proposal for the new prime minister, President Traian Basescu has named Victor Ponta as designated premier", said a presidency press release.

Ponta now has 10 days to form a new government.