First Female Muslim to Become Romania's Deputy Premier

TEHRAN (IQNA) – A Romanian economist who had been poised to become the country's first female and Muslim prime minister was offered a job as deputy premier Tuesday after the country's president declined to nominate her for the top government job.

Liviu Dragnea, chairman of the Social Democratic Party which won the December 11 election, said that Sevil Shhaideh, the party's first choice for premier, would serve as deputy premier and as regional development minister, a spot she briefly held in 2015, AP reported.

President Klaus Iohannis decided against nominating Shhaideh, who is a member of the country’s Muslim Tartar minority and married Syria-born businessman living in Romania.

Muslims make less than 0.5 percent of Romania's total population of 20 million. The majority of Muslims in the country are of Tatar and Turkish origins.

Source: Islamic News