Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan lost a parliamentary confidence vote Tuesday after lawmakers voted to bring down his government amid backlash over austerity measures aimed at reducing the country’s large budget deficit. The collapse of the government now sets up a new round of coalition talks in Bucharest.
The motion passed with 281 votes, comfortably above the 233 required for a majority in Romania’s parliament. The vote came after the center-left Social Democratic Party, known as PSD, joined with the populist right opposition party Alliance for the Union of Romanians, or AUR, to remove Bolojan from office.
Both parties said their cooperation was limited to the confidence vote and did not signal plans to form a government together.
Romania has been under pressure to address its public deficit, which stood at 7.65 percent of GDP in 2025, well above the European Union target of 3 percent. Bolojan’s government had pursued spending cuts and tax increases in an effort to reduce the shortfall, but the measures proved politically unpopular.
The PSD, which until recently had been part of the governing coalition, withdrew support over the austerity package. Ahead of talks with government officials, PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu told reporters: “Options are open.”
Grindeanu added: “We do not support minority governments . . . I want us to have a government quickly.” His remarks came as lawmakers and party leaders prepared for further negotiations following the vote.
Bolojan’s party, the National Liberal Party, also indicated it remains open to future coalition arrangements. PNL vice-president Catalin Predoiu said: “We would leave room for AUR to assume power if we did not return to governance.”
The cooperation between PSD and AUR drew criticism from political figures elsewhere in Europe, where mainstream parties have generally avoided working with nationalist and populist parties. Some lawmakers said the move could have broader implications beyond Romania.
Terry Reintke, co-president of the European Parliament’s Green group, said: “Keeping the far right out of power has never been more crucial . . . Democrats must stick together.” She added: “By choosing power over democracy the Social Democrats in Romania have crossed a red line.”
The Party of European Socialists and the Socialists & Democrats group in the European Parliament said they continue to support PSD.
The motion passed with 281 votes, comfortably above the 233 required for a majority in Romania’s parliament. The vote came after the center-left Social Democratic Party, known as PSD, joined with the populist right opposition party Alliance for the Union of Romanians, or AUR, to remove Bolojan from office.
Both parties said their cooperation was limited to the confidence vote and did not signal plans to form a government together.
Romania has been under pressure to address its public deficit, which stood at 7.65 percent of GDP in 2025, well above the European Union target of 3 percent. Bolojan’s government had pursued spending cuts and tax increases in an effort to reduce the shortfall, but the measures proved politically unpopular.
The PSD, which until recently had been part of the governing coalition, withdrew support over the austerity package. Ahead of talks with government officials, PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu told reporters: “Options are open.”
Grindeanu added: “We do not support minority governments . . . I want us to have a government quickly.” His remarks came as lawmakers and party leaders prepared for further negotiations following the vote.
Bolojan’s party, the National Liberal Party, also indicated it remains open to future coalition arrangements. PNL vice-president Catalin Predoiu said: “We would leave room for AUR to assume power if we did not return to governance.”
The cooperation between PSD and AUR drew criticism from political figures elsewhere in Europe, where mainstream parties have generally avoided working with nationalist and populist parties. Some lawmakers said the move could have broader implications beyond Romania.
Terry Reintke, co-president of the European Parliament’s Green group, said: “Keeping the far right out of power has never been more crucial . . . Democrats must stick together.” She added: “By choosing power over democracy the Social Democrats in Romania have crossed a red line.”
The Party of European Socialists and the Socialists & Democrats group in the European Parliament said they continue to support PSD.
