Romanian President Nicușor Dan faces deadlock as parties negotiate new government

President Nicușor Dan assumed office after the fall of the Veștea cabinet and has been tasked with naming a new prime minister. The governing coalition of PNL, USR and UDMR put forward Euro‑deputy Siegfried Mureșan, while the PSD opposes the nomination and promotes former premier Sorin Grindeanu. PSD members have also floated the idea of naming PSD mayor Constantin Toma as prime minister, prompting a series of public scenarios posted by PNL vice‑president Dan Motreanu and rebuttals from PSD secretary‑general Claudiu Manda.

Mureșan criticised the PSD, stating “In the heart of them, many PSD politicians are anti‑European,” and warned that the party would keep Romania on Europe’s margin. Various party leaders, including PSD’s Lia Olguța Vasilescu and AUR’s Petrișor Peiu, have discussed the voting arithmetic needed for a full‑power government, mentioning possible support from the UDMR. Negotiations in Cotroceni have repeatedly stalled, with accusations of rigidity on both sides. Meanwhile, President Dan met with Baltic presidents and Polish officials to discuss security and energy issues on the Eastern flank. The deadlock persists, leaving Romania without a stable governing majority.