The Bolojan-Orban pact: The secret plan for the reunification of the PNL and the elimination of PSD influence
After years of ruptures and conflicts, the PNL is preparing for a historic moment: the return of the Forța Dreptei wing under the command of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. The move, supported by analysts as Bolojan's “lifeline” in the face of internal opposition in the party, could also bring along new forces such as REPER, turning the PNL into a radical anti-PSD pole.
Ilie Bolojan, Ciprian Ciucu, Ludovic Orban. Photo: Inquam Photos/ Ilie Unici
Political analyst Adrian Zăbău explained for “Adevarul” the premises of such a return. Discussions between the two were resumed after Ludovic Orban, the president of Forța Dreptei, was dismissed by Nicușor Dan from the position of presidential adviser in November 2025.
“It is not a new scenario; this topic has been discussed before. There was, for a while, after the departure of Mr. Orban from Cotroceni, a rapprochement between him and Ilie Bolojan, and the discussion about merger and reunification is not, therefore, a new one. At the same time, such a process can only be carried out in the context of a congress, and certainly not only with the Force of Right, in my opinion. It could be about a broader discussion regarding the reunification of several right-wing political forces within the PNL.
I am referring here mainly to REPER. To what extent would it help the PNL, I think that this approach would primarily help Ilie Bolojan, in the perspective of the internal situation he has, or will have. Practically, a reunification of the PNL, with these groups detached from the party, including new people, if we mean REPER or members of this formation who would come to the PNL, would mean an additional force for Ilie Bolojan inside the party. But I don't see significant political or presumably electoral effects in the short term. I don't think such a step would immediately lead to significant increases in opinion polls tomorrow.” the analyst points out.
When could the reunification of the PNL be announced?
He explains that Ludovic Orban or Forța Dreptei have their own political capital, only that it is, in the current context, relatively small. For his part, Ludovic Orban declares that the discussions are at an advanced stage.
“We, in principle, agreed on the perspective for the reintegration of the liberals from the Force of Justice into the National Liberal Party. (…) At the moment when the PNL broke free from the PSD, there is no longer any reason not to go together”, Orban recently stated.
However, such a joining would not come without sacrifices on the part of the PNL, which would have to give up positions in the party's leadership, to begin with. The decision should be taken during a PNL Congress, which Ilie Bolojan is already preparing for the next period, for the liberals to decide whether to stand by the president in the decision to enter the opposition.
“It would matter more the figures involved and the political significance of the movement itself, as well as the consolidation of Ilie Bolojan within the National Liberal Party, since they would most likely also come with certain positions in the party.“, says Adrian Zăbava.
Ludovic Orban Photo: Inquam Photos/Mălina Norocea
“Orban has always had a good image within the party”
Ludovic Orban remained one of the best connected liberal leaders in relation to the local organizations of the National Liberal Party, benefiting from a close relationship with the leaders in the territory, a relationship that was no longer found in the case of Florin Cîțu and his successors. In this context, his return could represent an asset for Ilie Bolojan, especially in the relationship with local leaders.
“First of all, Ludovic Orban was and remains a different type of politician compared to the other PNL leaders of recent years, even if we exclude Ilie Bolojan to a certain extent. It is difficult to compare Orban with Florin Cîțu, Nicolae Ciucă or other recent leaders of the party.
Ludovic Orban has linked his entire political activity to the PNL since the beginning of the 90s until now. The others intersected with the party in a rather opportunistic manner, even if they ended up leading it. As a result, Orban has always had a good image within the party and among local organizations.
This can be an advantage, especially in organizations where old liberals are still influential. However, let's not forget that Ilie Bolojan is also a long-standing liberal, even if he does not have the same historical presence in the central structures of the party as Ludovic Orban“, says the analyst.
“Ludovic Orban does not necessarily return in a fundamentally changed PNL”
Zăbău also says that the constant anti-PSD message and the political positioning of Ludovic Orban against the Social Democratic Party can be useful elements for Ilie Bolojan. The break with PNL occurred in the winter of 2021 after Ludovic Orban's criticism of former president Klaus Iohannis and the liberal leadership for returning PSD to government. The situation in the PNL is no longer the same as it was then.
“The main thing that has changed in the meantime is the power center. At that time, the decisive influence belonged to Klaus Iohannis, and his role in the developments in the PNL was decisive, including in the removal of Ludovic Orban from the leadership of the party.
Otherwise, the PNL has gone through several campaigns and difficult periods. Today, the party relies on the popularity of Ilie Bolojan, perceived by many voters as one of the most credible leaders of the party.
Ludovic Orban is not necessarily returning to a fundamentally changed PNL, but he is returning to a party that is no longer led in the same way as when he left. His relationship with Klaus Iohannis was never very close, and during his tenure the party enjoyed a certain autonomy from the president. This autonomy diminished after his removal“, says the analyst.
It shows that, as a rule, such breaks in the parties are not accepted but “the return of Ludovic Orban and the Right Force to the PNL could represent an important political signal and could contribute to the consolidation of Ilie Bolojan within the party, even if the immediate electoral impact would most likely be limited.”
