BUCHAREST, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday appointed incumbent Defence Minister Mihai Fifor as acting Prime Minister following the earlier resignation of the head of government.

Iohannis announced that he accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mihai Tudose and will convene on Wednesday consultations with the parliamentary political parties for the formation of a new government.

Fifor, 47, was sworn in office for Economy Minister in June 2017 and in September, was nominated for Defence Minister and currently performs as such.

Under the Constitution, the head of state shall appoint another member of the government as acting Prime Minister, tasked with fulfilling the relevant responsibilities until a new government is formed within a maximum of 45 days.

Tudose had to resign after the leadership of the ruling Social Democratic Party decided to withdraw the political support for him late Monday.

The conflict between the prime minister and the ruling party chairman Liviu Dragnea has been well known recently.