Nicușor Dan defends Eugen Tomac nomination as Romania's prime minister-designate amid political deadlock

A political choice in a fractured landscape

President Nicușor Dan formally designated europarliamentarian Eugen Tomac as Romania's candidate for prime minister on Friday, 5 June 2026, signing the decree that was published in the Official Gazette. The move comes nearly a month after the government of Ilie Bolojan was dismissed through a no-confidence vote on 5 April, leaving the country under an interim cabinet. Dan, speaking from Montenegro, explained that his first option had been a political government, but none of the parliamentary parties managed to present a coherent majority during consultations.

The first option was a political government, only that none of the parties came with a majority at the consultations, did not come with a contoured majority.

Why a politician over a technocrat

Facing criticism for choosing a party leader whose formation failed to enter parliament, Dan argued that political experience is a craft essential for the current crisis. He contrasted Tomac's negotiating skills with those of an economist or specialist lacking direct political exposure, stating that the ability to interact with parties, rank arguments, and manage stakes is learned over time. The president framed Tomac's distance from parliamentary parties as an asset, positioning him as an independent arbiter capable of remaining equidistant during the government-formation talks.

Contrary to appearances, politics is a trade. I mean the possibility to negotiate, to rank arguments, stakes, the capacity to interact with parties — this is a trade that is learned in time.

The handover at Victoria Palace

On Friday afternoon, Tomac visited Victoria Palace for a meeting with interim prime minister Ilie Bolojan, according to political sources. The encounter, described as a cold handover between the recent past and the uncertain future of the executive, followed the government session. Tomac now has ten days under Article 103 of the Romanian Constitution to request a parliamentary vote of confidence for his governing programme and cabinet list.

Bolojan's reservations and the fiscal spectre

Bolojan did not hide his scepticism. He expressed reservations about a technocratic government's ability to deliver results without unequivocal parliamentary backing, warning that when unpopular measures become unavoidable, no party will stand by the cabinet. The interim premier also cautioned that instability surrounding Tomac's proposed formula could jeopardise agreements negotiated with the European Commission, opening the door to populist amendments pushed directly through parliament.

It is not enough for a government to be formed of good-quality people who are well-intentioned; it needs unequivocal support in Parliament.

Public backlash and opposition demands

Dan's announcement triggered a wave of negative reactions online. By 16:30 on Friday, a Facebook post by the president had drawn 7,280 negative reactions compared to 2,108 positive ones. The most popular comment, with 1,700 reactions, accused Dan of extinguishing hope for decent Romanians and predicted he would no longer be able to look honest people in the eye. The opposition party AUR is demanding early elections, a scenario the president has rejected.