Romanian lawmakers have approved a new pro-European coalition government, a move the EU member hopes will end six months of political turmoil, sparked by the cancellation of presidential elections over allegations of Russian interference.
Parliament approved the new administration in a 301-9 vote, after President Nicusor Dan nominated Iie Bolojan, former interim president and leader of the center-right National Liberal Party to head the new government.
Some lawmakers from nationalist opposition parties which hold a third of parliamentary seats were absent from the voting.
The new pro-European coalition is made up of the Social Democratic Party, the Liberals, the reformist Save Romania Union party, and a small ethnic Hungarian party, known as the UDMR.
The four parties hold a comfortable majority and the prime ministerial position will be taken by the PSD in 2027, Parliament’s largest party, in a power-sharing agreement.
Bolojan, 56, called it a “decisive moment” for Romania’s future and vowed to reduce the large budget deficit of 9.3%, the largest in the European Union, and reform state institutions.
“Romania must be stronger and more secure, with an economy that can and must grow … with reformed institutions and respect for citizens,” he said ahead of the vote.
The new government is expected to undertake unpopular fiscal measures such as tax hikes and job cuts in the public sector which could fuel support for populist parties ahead of 2028 elections.
George Simion, leader of the hard-right AUR, said he didn’t think the coalition would last the year.
The former mayor of Oradea, Bolojan served as interim president until Bucharest mayor Dan decisively defeated the nationalist frontrunner in a tense presidential election redpo. The vote came six months after Romania’s top court annulled the original presidential election over allegations of Russian meddling, exposing deep polarity in the East European nation.
Social Democratic leader Sorin Grindean promised his party would be “a responsible and honest partner”, calling the coalition “good (for) this country and for the good of Romanians.”
“We are … entering a period of rational and realistic solutions,” he said.
