A Government Crisis Has Erupted In Romania
- 6.05.2026, 8:14
The prime minister resigns in a vote of no confidence.
Members of the Romanian parliament have voted in favor of a vote of no confidence in liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan after one of the parties in the ruling coalition joined the far-right opposition, the BBC writes.
The Social Democrats, the country's largest party, quit Bolojan's four-party coalition in April. Thanks to their votes, 281 lawmakers - well above the minimum threshold of 233 votes - supported the vote of no confidence.
The party has clashed repeatedly with the liberal Bolojan over austerity measures aimed at reducing the budget deficit.
President Nicusor Dan is now expected to try to recreate a coalition with another politician in the prime minister's chair. He has already signaled that Romania - an EU and NATO member that shares a border with Ukraine - will continue on a pro-European course.
Romania's next parliamentary elections are not scheduled until 2028, and early elections are unlikely. Nevertheless, financial markets are concerned that political turbulence could prevent the country from meeting commitments to cut the EU's largest budget deficit.
Ahead of the vote, the Romanian leu's exchange rate against the euro fell to a record low.
The Bolojan coalition came to power ten months ago amid attempts to curb the rising popularity of the far-right Alliance for the Unification of Romanians (AUR), which won a third of seats in parliament.
Then Nicusor Dan won a tight presidential election after the far-right's electoral victory a year earlier was annulled due to allegations of campaign fraud and Russian interference.
After coming to power, this coalition began cutting the budget deficit, but disagreements with the Social Democrats intensified as austerity measures hit the left-wing parties' electorate. Nevertheless, the Social Democrats have said they are ready to rejoin the pro-European coalition under a different prime minister.
"Political discussions will be difficult, but my duty as president - and that of the political parties - is to lead Romania on the right path," Dan told reporters.
The president is now expected to appoint another Bologian party member or possibly a technocrat to head the government. Bolojan will continue to serve as prime minister until the new government is approved.