Political consultations yield no result
The first round of consultations on forming a new government in Romania ended without any results
Leyla Cheamil, 19.05.2026, 14:00
Monday’s consultations between the head of state, Nicușor Dan, and the parliamentary parties regarding the appointment of a new prime minister ended without any outcome that would break the political deadlock. The talks follow the ouster two weeks ago of the minority government led by the Liberal Ilie Bolojan via a no-confidence vote, with the support of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), until recently part of the pro-European coalition, and the populist, ultra-nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR). Following Monday’s meetings, the president announced that he would continue the series of consultations until a solid pro-Western majority is formed. He called for responsibility in order to reach, within a reasonable time, a common ground based on “coherent” formulas and “viable” proposals, stating that it is essential for all parties to demonstrate maturity.
Nicușor Dan held talks with representatives of the PSD, AUR, PNL, USR, UDMR, national minorities, S.O.S. Romania, and POT. For now, no alliance or coalition has emerged to support the formation of a new government. The PSD has rejected a new government led by Ilie Bolojan. The party’s leader, Sorin Grindeanu, stated that the party rules out an alliance outside of pro-Western parties and rejects a new government led by Ilie Bolojan. Political sources have indicated that the PSD prefers a political prime minister, and, “if necessary,” the Social Democrats could take on the role of prime minister themselves.
For its part, the AUR conveyed to the head of state, through its party president, George Simion, that it was prepared to assume responsibility for joining the government. He stated that he had presented the president with a plan of measures to pull Romania out of the crisis and asserted that, if a parliamentary majority for a new government cannot be found, the solution must be to return to the electorate.
On the other side, the Liberals reject the idea of a government together with the PSD, as well as that of a government led by a technocrat, which would also include the Social Democrats. PNL President Ilie Bolojan said that if, once again, in one form or another—directly or indirectly—such a coalition with the Social Democratic Party were to continue, it would only perpetuate the mistakes of the past.
The USR has announced that it will join the opposition if the PSD secures a parliamentary majority to form a new government. Party leader Dominic Fritz believes that the solution to the current crisis is a political one. In contrast, the UDMR believes that efforts should be made to restore the former governing coalition. According to the national minorities in Parliament, the coalition must be rebuilt along the same Euro-Atlantic lines.
The president of S.O.S. Romania, MEP Diana Şoşoacă, argued that the head of state had organized consultations with parliamentary parties in an unconstitutional manner, while the president of the Young People’s Party (POT), Anamaria Gavrilă, said that the party she leads would support any pro-Western governing formula. (MI)
