Romania's PSD accuses interim PM Bolojan of secret deals with nationalist AUR after he admits meeting its leader twice
Romania's ruling Social Democrats have accused interim prime minister Ilie Bolojan of striking secret deals with the nationalist AUR party after he confirmed two meetings with its leader George Simion in 2026.
Romania's political crisis deepened after interim prime minister Ilie Bolojan confirmed he met AUR leader George Simion twice in 2026, triggering a barrage of accusations from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) that he struck secret deals to stay in power.
The PSD offensive
PSD president Sorin Grindeanu published a scathing Facebook post on 30 July, calling Bolojan a "merchant willing to sell anything, even principles, to maintain instability". He alleged the meetings took place "under the table, through hotel rooms, from Cluj to Brussels" and accused the prime minister of hypocrisy for previously warning about the "extremist danger" posed by AUR.
"Pro-European" Bolojan, who impoverished Romanians in the name of "reform", admits he saved his seat through non-transparent deals with "extremist" George Simion.
PSD MEP Victor Negrescu joined the attack, stating that "the secret negotiations of Ilie Bolojan with George Simion confirm the PNL-AUR partnership through which he stays in power". He added that Bolojan "lied once again to Romanians on an extremely important subject".
Bolojan's defence
Speaking on Digi24 on 29 July, Bolojan said the two encounters were "simply a general discussion about perspectives, not political negotiations". He explained he sought a civilised relationship with all parliamentary forces because "they have votes behind them, they represent categories of citizens who voted".
I have tried not to offend people and to have a civilised relationship. That is about respect between people and respect for the Romanians who vote.
Bolojan denied meeting Simion just before the vote on the Veștea government, contradicting the AUR leader's claim. "I think it was earlier. But I don't remember these dates and there is no point in giving details," he said.
A mayor's explosive claims
Vladimir Petruț, the liberal mayor of Cavnic, told Antena 3 CNN that there were more than two meetings, including one on the very day of the Veștea government vote. He alleged the talks were arranged by second- and third-tier PNL figures from Maramureș, Cluj-Napoca and Arad, with encounters in Bucharest, a Cluj hotel and Brussels.
Bolojan did what he accused others of doing. He is practically negotiating with AUR. They want to have things in common because there are common things between PNL and AUR.
Petruț said a "shock variant" of a PNL-AUR government is being considered, partly aimed against President Nicușor Dan, with whom Bolojan no longer gets along well.
The presidential factor
Bolojan separately addressed his relationship with President Nicușor Dan, saying he saw no problem and that institutional collaboration had continued. He attributed the delay in naming a new prime minister to the president's prerogatives, noting three possible options were available: nominate a premier with a coalition agreement, nominate one without, or continue consultations.
- Ilie Bolojan meets AUR leader George Simion twice, according to Bolojan's later admission; he describes the talks as general exchanges of opinion.
- Liberal mayor Vladimir Petruț claims a meeting between Bolojan and Simion took place on the day of the vote, allegedly to block the PSD-backed government.
- Bolojan confirms the two meetings on Digi24, denies any political negotiations, and says he sought a civilised relationship with all parliamentary forces.
- PSD president Sorin Grindeanu and MEP Victor Negrescu launch sharp attacks, accusing Bolojan of secret deals with AUR to stay in power.
What comes next
Grindeanu ended his message by insisting that "Romanians quickly need a functional government" and that the PSD would sanction in parliament any measure harmful to citizens. The row leaves the country's political landscape fractured, with no clear path to a stable majority.
