Bucharest, Romania. Romania’s Social Democrats said they will team up with the hard-right opposition Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR) to try to topple Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s pro-European coalition government, a move that could put EU funding at risk.
Government loses majority after Social Democrats quit
The Social Democrats, the largest party in parliament, said on Monday they would work with AUR after their ministers resigned from Bolojan’s coalition last week. Their departure deprived the government of a parliamentary majority and raised concerns over Romania’s access to EU funds, sovereign ratings and debt yields.
EU recovery funds and reform deadline
Bolojan has refused to resign, saying the government must implement vital reforms to access more than 10 billion euros ($12 billion) in pandemic recovery and resilience funds before the European Union’s August deadline.
Coalition tensions over deficit reduction
A broad coalition was formed 10 months ago following a December 2024 general election, aiming to contain gains by far-right parties. Bolojan and the Social Democrats have repeatedly clashed over budget cuts intended to lower the deficit from over 9% of economic output in 2024, the European Union’s highest, to 6.2% this year.
Conditions for renewed cooperation
The Social Democrats have said they were willing to rejoin the same pro-European grouping, but not with Bolojan as prime minister. Bolojan’s Liberal party has continued to back him, accusing the Social Democrats of breaking collaboration agreements signed 10 months ago and ruling out joining another coalition with them.
Numbers for a no-confidence bid
A pro-European parliamentary majority cannot be achieved without the Social Democrats, who had previously ruled out forming a coalition with AUR, the second-largest group in parliament and currently leading opinion surveys with around 35% support.
Together, the Social Democrats and AUR control roughly 220 of parliament’s 464 seats. To topple the government they would need 233 votes, which they could reach with support from smaller far-right groupings, while Bolojan seeks to shore up backing.
Election timing and political signals
Romania, which has never held a snap election, is not due to hold a general election until 2028. Former deputy prime minister Marian Neacsu of the Social Democrats, asked on Monday whether a governing coalition with AUR was possible, said: “Every journey begins with the first step.”
How do you think Romania’s parliament will vote on any move to topple the government?
