Romania's parliament on Tuesday confirmed independent Luca Niculescu as prime minister, ending nearly six months of political deadlock that had put pressure on the country's investment-grade credit rating and dented investor confidence, Reuters reported.

Niculescu, 55, a diplomat and former deputy foreign minister who was earlier a journalist, secured 280 votes in parliament — comfortably above the 233 required — after putting together a minority government of leftists and technocrats, according to Reuters. Brussels Signal reported the vote as 280 to 58.

He was nominated by centrist President Nicusor Dan, whose fourth attempt to install a government this was, after a pro-European broad coalition cabinet collapsed in early May, Reuters said.

"I am not asking for a blank check," Niculescu told lawmakers before the vote, Reuters reported. "I am asking you to understand Romania needs a government with full powers after so many months of crisis."

A difficult budget battle ahead

The new government must cut one of the European Union's largest budget deficits while propping up a contracting economy. Romania has agreed with Brussels to bring its deficit below 3% of economic output — from over 9% in 2024 and an expected 6.2% this year — by 2030, according to Reuters.

Analysts cited by Reuters said the government could be short-lived, and that failure to pass a deficit-reducing 2027 budget in December would risk a ratings downgrade, with Romania already on the last rung of investment grade. Moody's said the green light for the cabinet would allow a timely 2027 budget that supports fiscal correction, Reuters reported.