- 4d ago
Romania's acting PM warns 4.5 billion euros in EU funds at stake as PSD blocks PNRR reforms
Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan published a detailed Facebook rebuttal on 15 July 2026 after Social Democratic leader Sorin Grindeanu questioned the existence of pending PNRR bills in parliament, listing six projects under debate and warning that over 4.5 billion euros in non-reimbursable EU money are at risk.
- 4d ago
AUR's number two publicly breaks with George Simion over PSD deal and demands Romania holds early elections
A public rift inside Romania's AUR party burst open on 14 July as its Senate leader, Petrișor Peiu, rejected leader George Simion's bid to trade support for the PSD for the Senate presidency, demanding early elections instead.
- Jul 9
PNL rejects PSD accusations over vote against extending Romania's recovery plan deadline
Romania's National Liberal Party (PNL) has dismissed accusations from the Social Democrats (PSD) that its MEPs voted against extending the deadline for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, calling the claims manipulation and stressing that an extension is not possible under current EU rules.
- Jul 9
Romanian poll puts far-right AUR at 36.4%, PNL surges to second place as crisis reshapes electorate
A July 2026 opinion poll shows the opposition AUR party at 36.4%, with the National Liberal Party (PNL) rising sharply to 22.4% as two months of political turmoil mobilise voters and redraw party support.
- Jul 8
Nicușor Dan summons party leaders on 12 July to break political deadlock and save EU funds
Romanian president Nicușor Dan has summoned the leaders of PSD, PNL, USR and UDMR to Cotroceni Palace on Monday, 12 July, seeking a majority to form a new government and pass urgent EU-related reforms.
- Jul 6
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.
- Jul 5
Traian Băsescu: President Nicușor Dan, PSD, PNL, and interim government all violating Romania's constitution
Former president Traian Băsescu says President Nicușor Dan has abandoned his role, the interim government of Ilie Bolojan is illegal after 60 days, and PSD and PNL have governed together for 20 years, sharing blame for economic mismanagement.
- Jun 29
Fritz calls AUR the 'life insurance' of PSD, predicts party will install Grindeanu as prime minister
USR president Dominic Fritz launched a sharp attack on the far-right AUR party on Monday, accusing it of being a tool of the Social Democrats and claiming it will eventually vote to make PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu Romania's next prime minister.
- Jun 29
Israeli President Herzog visits Romania for talks on economic ties, antisemitism, and regional security
Israeli President Isaac Herzog met Romanian President Nicușor Dan at Cotroceni Palace on Monday to deepen bilateral cooperation and address rising antisemitism, with regional conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East also on the agenda.
- Jun 29
Băsescu: Romania's government deadlock to persist until autumn as parties dodge early elections
Former president Traian Băsescu says Romania's political crisis will not be resolved before autumn, as all major parties and the president avoid triggering early elections while the country remains without a legitimate government.
- Jun 28
AUR senator says early elections only way out of Romania's political crisis, accuses president of overreach
Senator Petrișor Peiu, the AUR's parliamentary leader, has predicted a fragile PSD government led by Sorin Grindeanu will win investiture, while arguing that only early elections can break the deadlock and accusing President Nicușor Dan of overstepping constitutional bounds.
- Jun 27
PNL's Motreanu floats ironic scenario naming PSD's Toma premier, drawing rebuke from Manda amid Romanian government deadlock
PNL first vice-president Dan Motreanu published an ironic scenario on Saturday imagining President Nicușor Dan appointing PSD's Constantin Toma as premier without party consent, echoing the failed Veștea designation.
- Jun 27
Romania's deficit down over 40% in first five months, interim PM Bolojan warns populism could reverse fiscal gains
Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced that Romania's budget deficit fell by more than 40% in the first five months of 2026, to 36 billion lei, from 64 billion lei a year earlier. He called it the first serious correction after years of excessive spending and warned that populism could undo the progress.
- Jun 27
PSD's Vasilescu: Grindeanu government would pass with UDMR backing, using Veștea votes as a starting point
PSD vice-president Lia Olguța Vasilescu stated Saturday that a monocolor government led by Sorin Grindeanu could secure parliamentary investiture if UDMR joins the social democrats, building on the 189 votes the Veștea cabinet received.
- Jun 21
PSD to decide today on entering Veștea government, demands minimum wage hike and pension indexation
Romania's Social Democratic Party holds a National Political Council meeting today to decide whether to join the government of Prime Minister-designate Adrian Veștea, with a set of social protection and anti-austerity demands as preconditions for support.
- Jun 19
PSD publishes demands for backing Veștea government: higher pensions, wage rises, and farm subsidies
Romania's Social Democratic Party (PSD) has published a list of conditions for its parliamentary support of the new government led by Prime Minister-designate Adrian Veștea, demanding higher minimum wages, indexed pensions, and state subsidies for farmers and businesses.
- Jun 18
Romania’s PM-designate presses pause after PSD postpones decision on joining his cabinet
Adrian Veștea, Romania’s prime minister-designate, appealed for patience and responsible negotiation on June 18 after the Social Democratic Party (PSD) stalled its decision on whether to join his proposed government. The delay, set to last until Sunday, exposes deep fractures inside the former ruling coalition and leaves the country without a stable executive after more than six weeks of political instability.
- Jun 18
Bolojan rejects Grindeanu's accusation of lying to President Nicușor Dan over technocrat government talks
Interim prime minister Ilie Bolojan fired back at PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu on Thursday, denying he ever agreed to support a technocrat government and accusing the Social Democrats of spreading 'toxic inventions' to deflect blame for the political deadlock.
- Jun 16
Romanian PM-designate Veștea's government bid collapses as UDMR and PNL withdraw support
Prime Minister-designate Adrian Veștea faced a double blow on Tuesday after UDMR refused to join his government and his own party declared him outside its ranks, leaving his path to a parliamentary majority in tatters.
- Jun 12
Bolojan calls on PSD to claim premiership, says PNL will step forward with a solution if Tomac cabinet fails
Ousted prime minister Ilie Bolojan said in a radio interview that the Social Democrats who toppled his government must claim the premiership, and if the designated Tomac cabinet fails, the National Liberal Party will present its own proposal.
