Romania’s governing coalition was on the brink of collapse on Friday after a junior partner called for the resignation of Liberal Prime Minister Florin Citu.
The Save Romania Union-Plus (USR) said it would support a no-confidence motion against the government together with a far-right group. It is unclear whether the motion has enough support.
The three-party centrist coalition came to power after December parliamentary elections but only has a slim majority in parliament.
Premier Citu, a former banker, is committed to reducing the budget and current account deficits which all parties agreed on.
But the coalition was strained after the prime minister on Wednesday fired the justice minister who’s a USR member over a 10-billion euro financing plan for local communities. The justice minister refused to sign it.
The financing program was approved by the government earlier Friday.
USR leader Dan Barna responded, saying he wanted the coalition to continue but without the prime minister. Mr Citu is unlikely to step down ahead of a leadership challenge of the Liberal Party later this month.
USR says it has 123 signatures together with the nationalist AUR party. The motion needs 234 votes.
The main opposition party, the Social Democrats, have not explicitly said they would back the motion.
The prime minister urged his partners to stay united and to help the economy recover after the pandemic despite the row over the firing of the justice minister and other disagreements.
„Only this (three-party) coalition is feasible for Romania. It’s that political setup that can handle the European Union’s recovery plan…. and make use of EU money,” he said ahead of the coalition meeting.
Mr Citu is backed by centrist President Klaus Iohannis in the Liberal Party leadership election.
