Prime Minister-designate Adrian Veștea has launched a scathing attack on Romania’s ruling National Liberal Party (PNL) after its leadership convened an extraordinary congress for Sunday, warning that the move threatens internal democracy and risks turning the party into an instrument against President Klaus Iohannis. Speaking on Friday afternoon, Veștea accused PNL’s current leadership of orchestrating a “rushed” congress to sideline dissent and suppress debate, declaring that “freedom—and, implicitly, democratic debate—risk disappearing from the party.”

The PNL’s National Council, meeting online with around 700 members, voted overwhelmingly to proceed with the extraordinary congress on Sunday, where delegates will vote on proposed changes to the party’s statutes and elect a new leader. The move comes amid escalating tensions after Veștea, who was designated prime minister on 15 June despite opposition from PNL’s leadership, announced his intention to challenge incumbent Ilie Bolojan for the party presidency.

Veștea’s supporters have escalated their legal challenge, filing a new complaint with the Ilfov County Court alleging that the congress was organized in haste to prevent proper debate and seeking 4 million lei in moral damages from Bolojan. The complaint also targets proposed statutory changes that critics say would consolidate control within the party leadership.

President Iohannis, who designated Veștea as prime minister on 15 June, defended the decision in Brussels on Friday, calling Veștea “the best option” to secure a parliamentary majority. Speaking to reporters, Iohannis dismissed suggestions that the nomination was a partisan move, stating, “I do not play party games,” and praising Veștea’s “many qualities” that recommend him for the role.

The crisis has drawn rare public criticism from Sever Voinescu, a respected conservative figure, who accused President Iohannis of attempting to “segment” PNL and warned that Veștea risks being “fed empty promises” by figures manipulating “money, influence, and information.” Voinescu’s remarks, published in an upcoming interview, underscore the deepening divisions within Romania’s political establishment.

With the PNL’s extraordinary congress just two days away, Veștea’s allies are preparing to contest both the leadership and the legitimacy of the proceedings, setting the stage for a potentially decisive confrontation that could reshape Romania’s political landscape.

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