National Liberal Party faces internal criticism over membership and policy

Internal tensions are rising within Romania’s National Liberal Party (PNL) as members criticize the party's leadership and recent political shifts. Deputy Alina Gorghiu has accused Ilie Bolojan and the party leadership of hypocrisy regarding parliamentary defectors. Gorghiu stated that the PNL has recently adopted nine members from parties previously labeled as “toxic,” “populist,” or “sovereignist,” including representatives from AUR, SOS România, POT, and PSD.

Separately, Alin Tișe, President of the Cluj County Council, has warned that the PNL risks becoming “an enemy of the people” if it continues to move away from its traditional electorate. Tișe criticized the party's current direction, specifically targeting tax and levy increases and a perceived drift toward the USR party. He argued that the PNL must return to representing the “productive right”—the working citizens who support the economy—rather than implementing reforms that the general population may find difficult to sustain.