Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s coalition partners accuse him of destroying “our social base” with cuts.
Romania’s Social Democrats have moved to oust Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, triggering a fresh political crisis that threatens to cost the country billions of euros.
The PSD, the biggest country in the coaliton on Monday voted overwhelmingly to end political support for the prime minister, a Liberal. The PSD is the largest party in the Romanian parliament.
Party leader Sorin Grindeanu accused Bolojan, of making cuts and raising taxes that have damaged the economy and made cost of living costs soar.
“PSD can no longer be held captive while our social base is being destroyed,” Grindeanu told party members in Bucharest Monday.
Later, hundreds gathered in the capital for an evening rally in support of Bolojan, who has vowed not to resign. The center-right prime minister accused the Social Democrats of “cowardly running” from responsibility for decisions they had been part of.
“What we see today is the jeopardizing of our country’s finances, blowing up governing, all done with total lack of respect toward our country’s citizens,” Bolojan said. He accused his coalition partners for destabilizing the country at a time of war in the Middle East and belt-tightening across Europe.
Although the Social Democrats hold the most seats following 2024 elections, polls show support rising for the populist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians or AUR which came second in the 2024 ballot. AUR leader George Simion called for early elections Monday.
The Social Democrats and the Liberals and two other parties formed a coalition in early 2025, but it was marred by tensions and Social Democrats’ rejection of austerity measures. Romania had the largest budget deficit of more than 9 percent of national input an Bolojan said the austerity measures were necessary to reduce that.
Bolojan is expected to face a no confidence vote next week and the Social Democrats have threatened to withdraw six of their ministers from the cabinet later this week.
