Romanian lawmakers narrowly voted in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move aims to resolve a protracted political crisis in Romania after a top court annulled a presidential election. The parliament approved the new administration with a 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature.
The coalition comprises the leftist Social Democratic Party (PSD), the center-right National Liberal Party (PNL), the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party, and national minorities. This coalition formation follows a period of turmoil, including significant gains by far-right nationalists in a recent parliamentary election.
Prime Minister Ciolacu acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating that regaining the trust of citizens is a key goal for the new government. The 16 ministerial positions will be shared among the coalition parties, which hold a slim majority in the legislature.
The coalition is seen as a strategic move to counter the influence of far-right nationalists amidst economic concerns. President Klaus Iohannis warned the new Cabinet of the difficult period ahead, emphasizing the major concerns faced by many Romanians.
The political landscape in Romania was disrupted by the unexpected success of a far-right outsider in the presidential race, leading to allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference. The Constitutional Court's decision to annul the presidential race added to the uncertainty.
Prime Minister Ciolacu expressed optimism about overcoming challenges and emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes. The new government plans to organize a rerun of the presidential election with a common pro-European candidate.
Political analysts anticipate the new government to adopt a 'soft populist' approach, focusing on economic patriotism, anti-austerity measures, and promoting peace in neighboring Ukraine. This strategy aims to address the concerns of voters who supported populists but may not fully resolve the trust deficit.
The far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, which secured the second position in the parliamentary election, announced its opposition to the Ciolacu government. The coalition government, comprising familiar political parties, faces the challenge of navigating a complex political landscape and rebuilding trust among the Romanian populace.
