Leadership and the 2030 question

Interim prime minister Ilie Bolojan, who also leads the National Liberal Party (PNL), told B1 TV on Sunday, 18 October, that he will stay at the head of the party for as long as its members consider him useful. Asked whether colleagues wanted to remove him, he said that question was not on the table at present. He argued that the party's hard decisions, including refusing to enter government and moving into opposition, were taken with a comfortable majority, while acknowledging that opinions within the party will always differ. Asked about a run in the 2030 presidential election, he said such a candidacy was not on the table and pointed to the 2028 parliamentary elections as an important year for the party. He described his commitment in these terms:

“I will remain at the head of the PNL for as long as this party considers I am useful to it.”

Bolojan also sorted the internal criticism into groups. Some party members wanted the PNL in government so it could act, which he called a legitimate view, while others wanted posts and advantages, a motive he said would deliver nothing for the country or the party. Supporters wary of backing a PSD-led government, he said, came to see the vote as one of responsibility and necessity. The party's Iasi branch has said it will not support the investiture of the Niculescu government, which parliament is due to vote on Tuesday at 14:00.

The blackmail accusation and USR

Former USR leader Catalin Drula accused the PNL of yielding to blackmail when it decided to back the investiture of the Niculescu government. USR is now led by Dominic Fritz. Bolojan rejected the accusation and said the PNL took a rational decision for the country. He told B1 TV that criticism comes easily to those who do not carry the responsibility of an office:

“It is very easy to be radical while you do not have the responsibility of an office.”

Bolojan contrasted USR and UDMR, which he said kept their word during the coalition years, with PSD, which he accused of not respecting agreements and of dynamiting the coalition. He said relations with USR could still be built in the coming period, but not on short-term calculations. He recalled that the parliamentary groups of the two parties had agreed to cooperate.

The Tomac government and PSD ministers

Bolojan said the PNL was right not to back the government proposed by Eugen Tomac, after PSD launched a censure motion. He described that formula as a screen in which PSD held ministries without clear responsibility. The current arrangement, in which PSD ministers sit in Luca Niculescu's team, is more transparent, he argued. Asked whether he regrets the earlier decision, he replied:

“I do not regret it. I think we have maintained a consistent attitude.”

Budget discipline and the VAT increase

Bolojan said he does not regret raising VAT at the time, arguing that Romania had to present a credible plan within two weeks or lose European funds. He said the country had promised those measures for two years without taking them. The standard VAT rate rose from 19% to 21% on 1 August 2025. He said the new government could cut VAT only if it also cut spending, and that any aid for energy bills needs a clear funding source. He acknowledged that the corrections reduced consumption and that inflation eroded purchasing power.