Ilie Bolojan Proposes Minority Government After Parliament Rejects Adrian Veștea’s Cabinet
PNL leader Ilie Bolojan says Romania urgently needs a full-powers government built on transparency, after the Veștea cabinet failed a parliamentary vote with only 189 of the required 233 votes.
The vote
On Monday evening, Parliament rejected the cabinet proposed by Adrian Veștea. The vote count was 189 in favor and 23 against, falling short of the 233 votes needed for investiture. The failure came after weeks of political tension, with the National Liberal Party (PNL) opposing Veștea's nomination despite his origins within the party. PNL had warned that any of its members supporting the cabinet would face expulsion.
Bolojan's response
In a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, PNL leader Ilie Bolojan said Romania urgently needs a full-powers government built on transparency, clear rules, and respect for democratic principles. He criticized behind-the-scenes negotiations and betrayals, stating, "What is built without principles, seriousness and honesty cannot endure." He added that the party is ready to contribute to a correct, responsible, and transparent solution.
Romania urgently needs a government with full powers, built on transparency, clear rules and respect for democratic principles.
Backroom games and betrayals have shown their limits. What is built without principles, seriousness and honesty cannot endure.
The minority government proposal
Bolojan reiterated PNL's proposal for a minority government supported by a six-month national pact that would define Romania's priorities. The pact would commit signatory parties to a few basic conditions, including passing all pending National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) reforms by mid-July through a confidence vote in Parliament. Two minority government formulas are being discussed: an alliance of PNL, USR, and UDMR, or a government centered on the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
The government of betrayal has fallen. You cannot build on betrayal and moral corruption.
Constitutional next steps
Following the rejection, President Nicușor Dan must now start new consultations with parliamentary parties and designate another candidate for prime minister. PNL's secretary general, Robert Sighiartău, called the outgoing cabinet a "government of betrayal" and urged the president to quickly convene talks. The party emphasized that it had offered clear solutions ten days ago, either a minority government led by PSD or one led by PNL. The political crisis has now stretched over 48 days, with no immediate resolution in sight.
