AUR accuses President Nicușor Dan of authoritarianism after Veștea designated prime minister, demands early elections

Political crisis deepens

Romania's political turmoil that began in April deepened on Sunday as President Nicușor Dan named a second prime minister-designate, Adrian Veștea, without the backing of any political party. The move follows the resignation of Eugen Tomac, who held the designation for 10 days but failed to secure parliamentary support.

AUR's accusations

The opposition Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) issued a sharp statement, asserting that "democracy based on elections, political parties and the will of the people has been suspended since December 2024." The party criticised the designation as hasty and noted it was made on a Sunday morning, adding that it only deepens the current crisis.

“The separation of powers means the legislature cannot be subordinate to the presidency. When it is blocked, the constitutional solution is early elections. Our solution is a return to the people and respect for democratic rules.”

Call for early elections

AUR insists that early elections are the only legitimate constitutional path forward. The party declared it would dialogue with all involved parties but that its positions remain unchanged.

Background: a government falls

The crisis escalated on 20 April when the Social Democratic Party (PSD) withdrew support for Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan's National Liberal Party (PNL) government. PSD ministers resigned on 23 April. A no-confidence motion backed by PSD and AUR passed on 5 May with 281 votes, the same tally that ousted Florin Cîțu in 2021, ending Bolojan's 11-month tenure. Later that day, PNL announced it was going into opposition.