Coalition woes undermine Romania reform prospects

Significance

The motion will be backed by his former coalition partner, the Union to Save Romania (USR), together with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the nationalist AUR. Citu recently won the National Liberal Party (PNL) leadership contest. If the no-confidence vote succeeds, as seems likely, President Klaus Iohannis can make two attempts to form a new government.

Impacts

• Romania has Europe’s second-lowest COVID-19 vaccination rate; administrative upheaval may worsen performance further.
• The main political institutions are fast losing credibility, and this is likely to benefit increasingly influential extreme nationalists.
• A PNL minority government would prioritise survival over serious reform during its remaining time in power.