Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has rejected the prime ministerial candidate nominated by the left-of-center Social Democrats (PSD). Sevil Shhaideh would have been Romania’s first female and Muslim prime minister. President Iohannis has given no reason for his decision, BBC reported. Shhaideh has been criticized for lacking political experience, only serving once as a regional minister. Analysts say her Syrian husband’s background may also have been a factor. In response, PSD leader Liviu Dragnea said his party might consider trying to impeach Iohannis. He said there was no constitutional reason for refusing Shhaideh and accused Iohannis of wanting “to start a political crisis”. The PSD won the parliamentary election earlier this month and hopes to form a coalition. No Romanian president has ever turned down a nomination before and Dragnea has lost little time fighting back.
