President Nicușor Dan readies advisor-led coalition if Tomac government falls in Parliament
With designated premier Eugen Tomac’s parliamentary support fading, Romanian President Nicușor Dan is preparing to revive the PSD-PNL-USR-UDMR alliance, sources say, this time with a premier from his own circle of advisors.
Government crisis deepens
Romania’s month-long government crisis, triggered by a PSD-AUR censure motion that toppled the Bolojan cabinet, enters a new phase as designated prime minister Eugen Tomac struggles to secure a parliamentary majority. Tomac has received rejection from PNL, USR, UDMR, and AUR after his proposed cabinet gave three key ministries—Development, Transport, and Agriculture—to PSD proxies. Undeterred, Tomac announced he will press ahead to a final vote, expected next week.
President's backup plan
Should Tomac fail, President Nicușor Dan aims to propose a new executive drawn from the former coalition parties but headed by a presidential loyalist. Sources name economic advisor Radu Burnete and Finance Minister Alexandru Nazare as possible premier candidates. The scenario would be discussed with party leaders at Cotroceni Palace after Tomac’s defeat.
After the first attempt we need to see how we can move forward, but at this moment we cannot speculate what will happen. … If the Tomac government falls or he resigns, the political parties must request a consultation with the president and all parties should come with prime minister proposals, because we are at the second attempt. PNL, PSD, USR, AUR, and others, we should say something. The president must be offered something, because this is the role of the parties in our political construct, to propose, if no one has a majority alone, to try to find a formula.
Opposition within the former coalition
PNL and USR leaders have already refused to renew an alliance with PSD after the censure motion that brought down the Bolojan government. An internal attempt within PNL to oust Ilie Bolojan and rebuild the coalition failed, with only four board members backing the idea. USR faces strong electoral pressure against compromise with PSD. The president’s earlier efforts to shift the two parties’ positions were rebuffed by their leaderships.
Tomac’s uphill battle
Tomac’s cabinet, widely seen as PSD-controlled, has little chance of mustering the 233 votes needed. Public rejections from the other major parties leave him reliant on PSD and possible defectors. The upcoming parliamentary vote, expected in the next week, will likely trigger the president’s backup scenario.
Economic and EU deadlines loom
Romania must meet critical PNRR milestones by 31 August to secure vital EU funds. Fitch will review the country’s sovereign rating on 31 July, and the agency has signalled that a prolonged absence of a fully empowered government could negatively affect its decision.
