Romania forms new pro‑EU government after months of deadlock
Romania's parliament elected independent Luca Niculescu as prime minister, ending five months of political paralysis.
Key facts
- On 20 October 2026, Romania's parliament voted in Luca Niculescu as prime minister (Politico).
- Niculescu is an independent former journalist and diplomat nominated by President Nicușor Dan (Politico).
- The coalition agreement contains a six‑month deadline for parties to negotiate a lasting pact (Politico).
- The Social Democrats (PSD) will join the cabinet; the National Liberal Party (PNL) will remain outside (Politico).
- Sorin Grindeanu, PSD leader, said the party will pursue an investment‑focused 2027 budget (Politico).
Romania ended five months of political paralysis Tuesday with its parliament voting in Luca Niculescu as prime minister (Politico).
Niculescu is an independent former journalist and diplomat who was nominated by President Nicușor Dan earlier this month (Politico).
The new government is pro‑EU, according to Politico (Politico).
The coalition agreement contains a six‑month deadline for the parties to negotiate a more lasting agreement (Politico).
If no agreement is reached, the constitution requires two failed attempts to install a government before Parliament can be dissolved (Politico).
The Social Democrats will join the cabinet, but the National Liberal Party will stay out (Politico).
Sorin Grindeanu said the party will try to pass an investment‑focused 2027 budget by the end of November (Politico).
Grindeanu also said the party will revise the 2026 budget by the end of October (Politico).
Grindeanu said he will not seek a pact with the far‑right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) (Politico).
He said the Social Democrats will not agree with AUR on any issue (Politico).
He rejected an offer from AUR to back a €300 million social spending package during negotiations over the 2026 budget (Politico).
Context
Romania has faced political uncertainty since the annulment of its presidential election in December 2024 over allegations of Russian interference, according to Le Monde.
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