Romania’s Political Crisis Deepens as Parliament Rejects Pro-EU Prime Minister

Romania’s political crisis has deepened after Parliament rejected the nomination of pro-European politician Siegfried Muresan as prime minister, increasing uncertainty over the formation of a new government and the possibility of early elections.

Muresan, a member of the European Parliament from the centre-right National Liberal Party (PNL), received 182 votes in Wednesday’s confidence vote, falling short of the 233 votes required for approval.

The far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), which holds about one-third of the seats in Parliament, largely boycotted the vote.

Muresan had proposed what he described as a reform-oriented government involving his PNL, the Save Romania Union (USR) and the ethnic Hungarian UDMR party.

President Nicusor Dan said he would hold consultations with parliamentary party leaders before nominating another candidate for prime minister. He is seeking to avoid snap elections amid the continuing political deadlock.

Romania’s previous pro-European coalition government collapsed in May after Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan was removed through a no-confidence vote backed by the Social Democrats and the opposition far right.

The latest failed confidence vote marks the third unsuccessful attempt to form a new government.

Romania, an EU and NATO member that borders Ukraine, has not held snap parliamentary elections since the fall of communism in 1989.

Political analyst Cristian Pirvulescu told AFP that early elections could result in another fragmented Parliament while potentially strengthening the far right.

He also warned that an early election process could take around four months before a new government is formed, prolonging political uncertainty.

The crisis comes as Romania faces serious economic challenges, including the European Union’s highest public deficit and high inflation.

Meanwhile, supporters of far-right politician and former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu gathered outside a court in Bucharest on September 28 as he faced a new hearing in a case involving allegations of actions against Romania’s constitutional order.

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