UDMR warns Romania's PSD-PNL deadlock only benefits extremists, calls for compromise and presidential push
The leader of UDMR's deputies, Csoma Botond, says the two-month government vacuum is a 'kindergarten quarrel' that strengthens AUR and erodes trust, and he wants President Nicușor Dan to step in more actively.
UDMR warns of extremist gains
Csoma Botond, the leader of the UDMR parliamentary group, sharply criticised the ongoing deadlock between the Social Democrats (PSD) and the National Liberals (PNL) in an interview with RFI Romania on 6 July. He described the exchanges as a 'kindergarten quarrel' that only serves to boost the far-right AUR party and broader extremism, while deepening public distrust and anger toward state authorities.
This kindergarten quarrel does nothing but grow AUR, grow extremism, grow citizens' distrust and their anger towards state authorities.
He argued that the harsh, ironic language between the two largest parties has not changed and is not leading to a solution.
Call for compromise and presidential involvement
Botond urged both PSD and PNL to abandon their 'red lines' and personal attacks, sit down together, and find a compromise through dialogue. He warned that without such a step, Romania could remain without a government for another six months.
If we don't get past these red lines, believe me, we won't have a government even in six months. Everyone has to give a little and try to have a government.
He also called on President Nicușor Dan to be more active in shaping a new majority, saying the head of state currently appears too passive. Botond noted that Dan had previously overstepped by becoming too much of a political player, even surpassing former president Traian Băsescu in his interventions.
Background of the crisis
Romania has been without a full government since 20 April, when PSD withdrew its political support for PNL prime minister Ilie Bolojan. A no-confidence motion dismissed the cabinet on 23 April. Since then, PNL vice-president Siegfried Mureșan and secretary general Robert Sighiartău have repeatedly stated that PNL will not form another government with PSD. PSD, in turn, accuses Bolojan of having taken personal control of the party.
- PSD withdraws political support for PM Ilie Bolojan.
- Government dismissed via no-confidence motion.
- UDMR's Csoma Botond warns deadlock fuels extremists, calls for compromise.
- Extraordinary parliamentary session expected for PNRR and SAFE legislation.
Next steps and legislative urgency
Sources cited by Adevărul indicate that leaders of PSD, PNL, USR and UDMR could meet at the end of this week to resume talks on forming a government. A technocratic cabinet has not been discussed within PSD. An extraordinary parliamentary session is expected at the end of July to adopt six bills required to access EU recovery funds (PNRR), including the public-sector wage law. Failure to pass that law could cost Romania 800 million euros. UDMR president Kelemen Hunor has floated the idea of rebuilding the former governing coalition without USR, but PNL's successive resolutions rule out a renewed alliance with PSD.
