Presidents of Romania

Romania's president-elect Klaus Iohannis received German Chancellor Angela Merkel's congratulations for the victory obtained in the presidential elections, in a telephone conversation on Tuesday.

Romania's president elect Klaus Iohannis said his party - the National Liberal Party (PNL) - will seek the replacement of incumbent government in 2015 or 2016, at the latest, reports the Romanian news agency Agepress.

In Iohannis' words, PNL does not want "cosmetic changes in a government of the Social Democratic Party (PSD)".

Crin Antonescu, the former leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL), says PM Victor Ponta made an error in the presidential election runoff he lost, associating with individuals whom 'people do not want'.

Speaking in a TV broadcast on Tuesday night, Antonescu added that staying in power was nevertheless vital for Ponta and for his Social Democrat Party.

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A draft law on amnesty and pardons that would have helped jailed Romanian politicians was overwhelmingly rejected by the country's Parliament on Tuesday.

National Liberal Party co-chairman Klaus Iohannis stated on Tuesday in a press conference that the amnesty and pardon law must be rejected by Parliament and the Legislative must resume discussions regarding a simplification of procedures to lift the immunity of MPs.

Teodor Melescanu, who recently became the Foreign Ministry of Romania, has stepped down due to the poor organization of Sunday's presidential elections abroad.

"I take full responsibility for what happened and will present my resignation in today's government meeting," Teodor Melescanu said on Tuesday.

In his first public appearance on Monday, Romania's incoming President, Klaus Iohannis, urged the government to set up a new system for Romanians abroad to vote.

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President in office of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy has congratulated Klaus Iohannis on being elected Romania's President in a November 16 runoff election.

In a press release issued on Monday he said that on behalf of the European Union he congratulates Mr Klaus Iohannis on being elected to the office of Romania's President.

Romania's president-elect Klaus Iohannis, still the chair of the opposition National Liberal Party, vowed to continue Romania's partnership as the head of state, and prove the country is a serious, credible and long-term partner.