Romanians will have to wait a while longer to find out whether they're heading back to the polls following a legal challenge to Ludovic Orban's re-nomination as prime minister.

Early elections had appeared likely after Orban's minority government was toppled by a no-confidence vote on February 5.

Orban, leader of the National Liberal Party, had wanted to capitalise on high poll ratings by bringing elections forward.

But the Constitutional Court ruled on Monday that President Klaus Iohannis created a conflict of interest by proposing Orban again as premier and may have to suggest another candidate.

The decision is a win for the Social Democratic Party (PSD) who brought the legal challenge, saying the president's decision to appoint Orban was a breach of constitutional law.

The court's decision came just before a parliamentary session for lawmakers to cast their vote on the new government, but the procedure was postponed due to lack of quorum, after PSD, Pro Romania and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats announced they would boycott the vote.

The court's ruling said the purpose in appointing a candidate for the office of prime minister must be to ensure the creation of a majority in Parliament, with the aim to form a new Cabinet.

According to the constitution, the president must now nominate a new prime minister, usually after consultations with political parties.

If parliament refuses to endorse a new nominee for prime minister twice within 60 days, the president can dissolve parliament and call early elections.

In response to the ruling, President Iohannis accused the Social Democratic Party of creating a new crisis by bringing the complaint to the Constitutional Court.
He claimed the Social Democratic Party is afraid of facing the voters.

There has not been a snap election held in Romania in 30 years.

Romania's leu currency hit an all-time low of 4.8085 against the euro on Monday, which experts say is a result of global risk related to coronavirus, and domestic political uncertainty.