The Romanian government of Ilie Bolojan did not last a year. This Tuesday, Parliament overthrew the pro-European liberal Prime Minister thanks to a motion of censure adopted by 281 votes, well beyond the 233 votes necessary, reports AFP. At the origin of this political earthquake: the alliance concluded between the social democrats of the PSD, former pillar of the coalition, and the AUR, a radical right group on the rise.
The breakup had become inevitable for several weeks. Having come to power in June 2025 with the promise of restoring order to public finances, Ilie Bolojan was committed to a line of assumed budgetary rigor: increase in VAT, reduction in public spending, structural reforms. Measures presented as essential to contain one of the highest deficits in the European Union, but became politically explosive as social protest mounted.
“This motion is cynical and artificial”denounced the head of government in front of the deputies, a few hours before the vote. He also castigated an initiative “false”defending a policy that he considered “urgent and necessary” for the country.
An economic threat
The PSD ended up breaking after leaving the coalition two weeks earlier. By submitting its motion of censure with the support of the AUR, the leading opposition force, the Social Democratic Party has made a clear break with the pro-European line followed until now. This alliance profoundly changes the situation in Bucharest: long marginalized, the AUR is now establishing itself as a central player in the parliamentary game, driven by strong electoral dynamics.
With nearly 37% of favorable opinions in the polls, the nationalist party is already ahead of the PSD in voting intentions. Its leader, George Simion, greeted “the end of ten months during which the so-called pro-Europeans delivered nothing other than: taxes, war and poverty”.
Romania, which posted a deficit of 7.9% of GDP at the end of 2025, is already the subject of a European procedure for excessive deficit
All eyes are now on President Nicușor Dan, responsible for opening consultations to try to bring about a new majority. But the equation looks particularly complex: excluding the radical right while rebuilding a stable bloc is a real balancing act in a fragmented Parliament. In the immediate future, Ilie Bolojan should remain in office at the head of an interim government until the appointment and swearing-in of a new executive. However, its prerogatives will be limited, reducing its capacity to undertake major reforms in what is a critical period.
Behind the political crisis lies an economic emergency. The markets have already reacted: the leu, the national currency, has fallen against the euro. Romania, which posted a deficit of 7.9% of GDP at the end of 2025, is already the subject of a European procedure for excessive deficit. The current instability worries Brussels and poses a real risk to access to European funds, essential for the country.
