National Liberal Party (PNL) Senator Mircea Abrudean was elected on Tuesday as President of the Upper House of Parliament (Senate) during a plenary session, with the backing of the governing coalition.

The vote was held by secret ballot, with 89 votes in favour and 28 against.

Other candidates for the position included Mircia Chelaru (Alliance for Romanians’ Union – AUR), who received 27 votes in favour and 90 against, and Dumitru Manea (S.O.S. Romania), who secured one vote in favour and 116 against.

Ilie Bolojan resigned from the Senate presidency after being invested Prime Minister by Parliament on Monday.

PNL Senator Lucian Rusu was elected to replace Mircea Abrudean as Vice-President of the Senate.

He was elected by secret electronic vote, receiving 81 votes in favour, 5 against, and two abstentions.

AGERPRES