Talks on new government move forward
After a first round of talks with parliamentary parties, the PM designate Luca Niculescu says negotiations on a government have advanced.
Daniela Budu, 13.10.2026, 14:00
In Bucharest, the prime minister designate Luca Niculescu Monday concluded the first round of negotiations with parliamentary parties and groups regarding support for the government, with a deadline on Thursday to present the list of ministers and the governing programme to Parliament.
He proposed a political agreement or a mixed formula which, he believes, would be in a better position to implement necessary measures such as the budget adjustment, the endorsement of the 2027 public budget, energy-related actions, economic recovery, and the strengthening of Romania’s defence capabilities. However, he says alternative solutions exist, ranging from a hybrid government to a cabinet of technocrats supported by a six-month political agreement.
Luca Niculescu: “I suggested we consider a six-month support agreement, for instance, for priority reforms and key initiatives Romania needs to undertake, and I hope the parties will reach an understanding and work together to find a formula to pull the country out of this political, economic, and social crisis. We have made progress, the situation today is different from a week ago, but we need to pick up the pace.”
While the Social Democratic Party (PSD) calls for a governing partnership with the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Union of Ethnic Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), the Liberals, led by Ilie Bolojan, strongly reject such an option. Under these circumstances, the PSD president Sorin Grindeanu says his party is seriously considering early elections, even though talks with the prime minister-designate appear to be moving in the right direction:
Sorin Grindeanu: “The National Permanent Bureau has voted to set up a committee to look at the election legislation. They must examine the legal framework regarding the possibility of early elections and determine what changes might be necessary. It is not a scenario we desire, and not out of electoral calculation, but we do not shy away from it, and we will be prepared.”
Meanwhile, the Liberals stand firm and categorically refuse to join a coalition government with the Social Democrats. The Senate speaker Mircea Abrudean emphasises that the party is willing to vote for the Luca Niculescu cabinet to break the deadlock, but categorically rules out any hybrid arrangement that deviates from established party lines.
Mircea Abrudean: “Obviously, this would affect an endorsement vote for the Luca Niculescu government, because the decisions were clear, I do not believe any other course of action is up for discussion if we want to secure a vote from the National Liberal Party.”
Given the situation, the prime minister-designate has sought support from other parliamentary parties and groups. Save Romania Union (USR) has once again rejected the idea of supporting a government that includes Social Democratic ministers. For their part, representatives of the UDMR have announced their intention to vote for a government, even if they will not be part of it. Meanwhile, the national minority groups, “Peace First Romania” and “United for Romania,” have voiced support for the new cabinet but are calling for social protection and economic recovery measures. (AMP)
