Nicusor Dan demands party consensus amid Romania budget gridlock
Romanian President Nicusor Dan has transferred the responsibility of forging a parliamentary majority back to the political parties, following a one-hour negotiation session that concluded without an agreement. The head of state currently faces two competing governance proposals, neither of which commands an absolute majority in Parliament.
The Social Democratic Party (PSD) is seeking a standalone minority government led by Sorin Grindeanu. Conversely, a right-wing coalition comprising the National Liberal Party (PNL), USR, and UDMR has proposed europarlamentarian Siegfried Muresan to lead a minority administration.
"We have returned to the political deadlock that on Tuesday I believed we had overcome," President Nicusor Dan announced at the conclusion of the consultations.
The President openly blamed the PNL for the impasse, stating that the liberals altered their stance from earlier talks. According to the head of state, PNL had initially agreed to support a minority PSD government under specific policy conditions before reversing their position.
Refusing to arbitrate the dispute through a unilateral designation, the President urged parties to return to the negotiating table. "Romania urgently requires a fully empowered government," the head of state emphasized.
Earlier that morning, PNL, USR, and UDMR held separate internal votes to back Siegfried Muresan. Liberal leader Ilie Bolojan, USR president Dominic Fritz, and UDMR representative Lorand Turos jointly announced Muresan’s nomination at the PNL headquarters, highlighting his extensive experience with EU budgets.
Muresan, who previously served as a chief negotiator for the European Parliament on the Recovery and Resilience Facility, stated he is fully prepared to secure the successful implementation of Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).
The Social Democrats issued an immediate press release, maintaining Sorin Grindeanu’s candidacy for the premiership. The PSD accused the right-wing parties of causing an irresponsible political deadlock that could jeopardize the nation's economic stability.
The ongoing political crisis began two months ago when the PSD exited the governing coalition and voted alongside AUR to pass a motion of no confidence against the Bolojan Cabinet.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
