Parliament on Tuesday dismissed the minority government of Liberal Prime Minister Florin Citu in a no-confidence vote. The development signals a new period of political instability _ and possible snap elections.
Some 281 lawmakers voted to oust the centrist government, far more than the 234 votes needed.
Romanian governments have had short lives in recent years. Mr Citu, who took office in December 2020, is the seventh prime minister since 2017.
The Social Democrats, a far-right party AUR and a centrist party called the Save Romania Union which recently quit the government united to oust Mr Citu. The former U.S.-educated banker and ex-finance minister held the post for just 278 days.
The vote came 10 days after Mr Citu, 49, was elected chairman of the National Liberal Party. The internal election was bitterly contested and it is likely that some Liberal lawmakers voted against the premier, a relative newcomer.
The government was grappling with the a spike in Covid-19 cases and inflation ahead of the winter.
President Klaus Iohannis is expected to name a new prime minister who will be able to secure a parliamentary majority.
A top candidate for the post is believed to be Defense Minister Nicolae Ciuca, who also served as Army Chief of Staff.
If lawmakers fail to vote for a new government, Romania could hold early elections.
