Romania's political deadlock deepens as PSD accuses PNL of avoiding government re-entry

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2 months · 7 summary articles
Romania’s political deadlock deepened on Monday as senior figures from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) accused the National Liberal Party (PNL) of inventing new pretexts daily to avoid re-entering government, while President Nicușor Dan came under fresh pressure to break the impasse. The escalating rhetoric underscores the fragility of the country’s institutions two months after the dismissal of former premier Ilie Bolojan and the rejection of the short-lived Veștea cabinet.
Speaking to HotNews, PSD vice-president Gabriel Zetea warned that Romania risks losing billions in EU recovery funds unless parties agree on a full government within weeks. “Every day of delay puts our PNRR targets in jeopardy,” Zetea said, adding that PSD colleagues in the regions are pressing the leadership to consider alternatives, including the surging Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR). “People feel they are given bread and circuses instead of solutions,” he told the outlet .
PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu escalated the confrontation, accusing PNL of “daily flip-flops” and insisting that Ilie Bolojan remains in office only because AUR continues to prop him up. “Bolojan is clinging to his chair with AUR votes,” Grindeanu told Digi24, alleging that the interim premier has failed to grasp the role of a coalition prime minister. “He didn’t listen to PSD at all. Bolojan is like a dust merchant—everything is fine until the wind blows, then you go bankrupt,” Grindeanu said .
Grindeanu also dismissed suggestions of a PSD-AUR alliance, calling such talk a “cynical calculation” by Ilie Bolojan. “Many PSD local leaders are under pressure to join AUR, which is growing like Făt-Frumos from a tear,” he said, while stressing that his party remains willing to govern with PNL—provided the liberals drop their internal bans on cooperation .
UDMR deputy leader Csoma Botond went further, arguing that President Dan has become “too much of a player,” surpassing even Traian Băsescu in meddling with government formation. “He should stop hiding in the Cotroceni Palace and help forge a majority,” Csoma told RFI, warning that unless red lines are crossed, Romania may still lack a government six months from now .
AUR leader George Simion piled on the pressure, publicly urging Dan to name a prime minister without delay and demanding that Bolojan leave Victoria Palace immediately. “The country cannot wait any longer,” Simion said in a statement carried by Digi24 .
Behind the scenes, PSD, PNL, UDMR and USR are scheduled to meet later this week, though sources cited by HotNews say the gathering will focus on PNRR projects rather than government formation, which remains blocked . Meanwhile, Raluca Turcan, a prominent PNL figure, reiterated that her party will remain in total opposition to PSD, ruling out any return to their previous coalition .
With no clear path to a majority and tempers rising, the risk of early elections or institutional erosion grows by the day.
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