Key facts
- Romania's Prime Minister-Designate Adrian Vestea will face a parliamentary vote of confidence on Monday.
- Vestea's proposed government includes nine ministers from the Social Democrats (PSD).
- The Liberal Party, Save Romania Union, and UDMR have refused to support Vestea's government.
- The far-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR) has also indicated it will not back the government.
- Prolonged political instability risks Romania's access to EU funds and its sovereign rating.
Romania's Prime Minister-Designate Adrian Vestea has formally requested a vote of confidence from parliament, aiming to form a pro-European government. The nomination by President Nicusor Dan came without consultation with the Liberal Party, of which Vestea is a member. The Social Democrats (PSD) have pledged their support for Vestea's cabinet, which includes nine PSD ministers. However, Vestea faces a significant challenge as the Liberal Party, along with its junior coalition partners the Save Romania Union and the UDMR party, have decided not to back his government. The largest party in parliament, the hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR), has also signaled it will not support Vestea, suggesting an early election as a better solution. This prolonged political instability raises concerns about Romania's ability to access billions in EU funds and maintain its investment-grade sovereign rating. The country's next parliamentary election is not scheduled until 2028, and it has never held an early election.