PNL, USR and UDMR to propose Siegfried Mureșan as Romania's prime minister

The nomination

PNL, USR and UDMR will propose Siegfried Mureșan, a vice-president of the European People's Party and MEP since 2014, as Romania's next prime minister, political sources told multiple outlets on Friday. The move comes after Thursday's negotiations between the four main parties ended without agreement, and President Nicușor Dan called for a common majority proposal.

Sorin Grindeanu says that PSD can only take on governing under clear and transparent conditions. The reality, however, is exactly the opposite.

Who is Siegfried Mureșan

Mureșan is one of Romania's most influential figures in the European Parliament. He has served as EPP vice-president since 2019 and is the Parliament's chief negotiator for the EU's next multiannual budget (2028–2034), worth around €2 trillion. He also chairs the delegation for relations with Moldova and sits on the budget and economic affairs committees.

The rotation plan

The three parties are also negotiating a government rotation with the Social Democrats (PSD). Under the draft agreement, a PNL-USR-UDMR cabinet led by Mureșan would govern until April 2027, after which PSD would take over the executive. The PNL leadership is expected to vote on this accord during its 10:00 meeting on Friday.

Friday's meetings

UDMR's leadership convenes at 9:00 to validate Mureșan's candidacy, while PNL and USR hold separate sessions at 10:00 to endorse the proposal and the rotation deal. The outcome will be presented to President Nicușor Dan, who has urged the parties to deliver a stable majority.

Mureșan's criticism of PSD

Days earlier, Mureșan sharply attacked PSD and its candidate Sorin Grindeanu on Facebook, accusing the party of eroding public trust.

Romanians' trust in the political class is zero. That's what PSD has always tried to do: give the impression that all politicians are the same — corrupt and incompetent. Convince us it's not worth voting, so they win through party clientele votes and absenteeism.

He contrasted Grindeanu with Ilie Bolojan, a figure he said many people trust, adding that "there are politicians like Sorin Grindeanu, in whom people will never have confidence."