Romanian PM Ilie Bolojan Defies PSD Pressure and Refuses to Resign Amid Coalition Crisis

Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan told colleagues at a surprise visit to the PNL Bucharest headquarters on Wednesday evening that he will not resign, as the PSD prepares a membership consultation on withdrawing support for his government. Bolojan arrived unannounced at the party's Easter reunion gathering, held at the Modrogan 22 address, and delivered a firm message to assembled liberals. PNL general councilor Silviu Feroiu, who was present at the meeting, confirmed that the prime minister's position was unambiguous. According to Feroiu, the majority of those present told Bolojan they did not want him to resign, and his response matched their resolve. Bolojan also met with President Nicușor Dan at Cotroceni Palace on Wednesday for approximately two hours, according to HotNews, though neither the government nor the presidential administration issued any official statement about the topics discussed.

PSD sets April 20 deadline for internal vote on Bolojan The Social Democrats are set to hold a broad internal consultation on April 20, in which approximately 5,000 party members will vote on whether to withdraw political support for Bolojan, according to HotNews. PSD leaders expect the vote to go overwhelmingly in favor of withdrawing support. If Bolojan does not leave office by the following government meeting on Thursday, April 23, PSD ministers could submit their resignations en masse, according to Adevarul. The consultation was first announced by Sorin Grindeanu more than five months ago, in early December, but the details of how it will proceed have only recently been finalized. The sequence of events means the coalition government, formed by PNL and PSD, is approaching a formal rupture unless one side changes course before next week.

Ilie Bolojan has served as Prime Minister of Romania since June 23, 2025, and also holds the presidency of the National Liberal Party. The PNL-PSD coalition has governed Romania together through a period of significant fiscal pressure, with Romania carrying what PNL figures describe as the largest budget deficit in the European Union. The coalition's governing program, agreed last year, included commitments tied to Romania's recovery and resilience plan under EU frameworks. Tensions between the two parties have been building for months over reform measures, particularly those targeting political privileges.

Ciucu warns PSD: coalition is finished if Bolojan is ousted Ciprian Ciucu, the General Mayor of Bucharest and PNL First Vice-President, issued a sharp public warning to the PSD on Thursday, stating that the liberals will not form another coalition with the Social Democrats if they bring down the government through a motion of no confidence. Ciucu published a lengthy message on Facebook addressed directly to PSD members, accusing the party of having caused Romania's current fiscal difficulties. „To start talking about the state of the economy after you blew up the budget deficit, reaching the highest in the European Union, endangering the attraction of billions of euros allocated to Romania, after you came forward in electoral years with measures that put the economy in a zone of major risk, seems to me the height of non-accountability. The height of irresponsibility!” — Ciprian Ciucu via G4Media.ro Ciucu also warned that a collapse of the government would halt progress on Romania's targets under the PNRR, cutting off billions of euros in European funds. He accused the PSD of blocking coalition decisions whenever reforms touched party privileges, and said the party was manufacturing a political crisis without a plan or vision for the country.

Burduja recalls Bolojan's unannounced Easter visit to party faithful Sebastian Burduja, the president of PNL Bucharest, described the prime minister's Wednesday evening appearance as an unscripted moment that reinforced the party's sense of purpose. Burduja wrote on Facebook that Bolojan arrived without protocol or a prepared speech and spoke directly about responsibility and character. „He spoke to us about responsibility, about character, about the courage to choose what is right instead of what is easy. About the fact that true politics is done with a straight back, not a bowed head.” — Sebastian Burduja via Libertatea Feroiu, recounting the same meeting, said Bolojan was asked how he manages to withstand the wave of criticism, including from some colleagues within the government itself. „When some people swear at you, it's like a blessing” — Silviu Feroiu via Digi24 Ciucu, summarizing the PNL's collective stance, stated that the party had found its internal democracy and would not allow itself to be used as a political instrument again. „We will not become your puppets again. We can collaborate, but from dignified positions and with mutual respect” — Ciprian Ciucu via Stirile ProTV

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