The international press, after the withdrawal of PSD support for the Bolojan government: “The decision could trigger months of instability”
The PSD decided, with an overwhelming majority of 97.7%, to withdraw its political support for Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, triggering a political crisis that attracted the attention of the international media.
PHOTO: Inquam Photos / Octav Ganea
The publication Le Monde reports that the Social Democrats voted almost unanimously on Monday, April 20, to withdraw their support for Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, a decision that could plunge the country into a political crisis if officially confirmed.
“EU and NATO member Romania was thrown into chaos after presidential elections were canceled in December amid allegations of Russian interference and a massive social media campaign in favor of the far-right candidate.
The government led by Bolojan adopted a series of unpopular measures, such as tax increases, in an attempt to reduce the largest deficit in the European Union”, writes the French newspaper.
Le Monde adds that the measures taken by the government have drawn the displeasure of the PSD, which believes it is losing its electorate to the extreme right.
“The leader of the PSD, Sorin Grindeanu, declared after the vote that the party will “act in the coming days” in accordance with the wishes of the members, without immediately announcing the exit from the government.
Before the vote, Bolojan ruled out the option of resignation. The 57-year-old prime minister, who has built a reputation as a reformer concerned with reducing the waste of public money and attracting European funds, has been criticized for “inflexibility”.
President Nicușor Dan declared that, despite the “political turbulence”, the country will remain on the established trajectory in terms of public finances and access to European funds.”
Politico: “Romania enters political turmoil again, after social democrats take steps to oust prime minister”
Also, Politico writes that the party, which governs in coalition with Bolojan's liberals, voted overwhelmingly on Monday to withdraw political support for the prime minister.
“The Social Democrats hold the largest share of votes in the Romanian Parliament. The party's leader, Sorin Grindeanu, accused Bolojan, who heads the center-right National Liberal Party, of promoting austerity policies that have affected the economy and led to an increase in the cost of living for Romanians.”
The website cites the Romanian press and reports on the demonstration in the Capital in support of Ilie Bolojan, where hundreds of people gathered.
Transcripts from the PNL meeting: Ilie Bolojan knows why the social democrats withdrew their political support: “From all the polls, PSD is below 20%”
Politico adds that Romania has been thrown into a political crisis in 2024, “after the presidential election was controversially annulled due to suspicions of foreign interference.”
“Although the Social Democrats won the most seats in the parliamentary elections at the end of 2024, the latest polls show an increase in support for the right-wing opposition, the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), ranked second. Its leader, George Simion, called for early elections on Monday, even before the PSD voted to withdraw support for Bolojan.
The Social Democrats and Liberals formed a fragile government with two other parties in early 2025, but the coalition was marred by political tensions and the PSD's opposition to austerity measures. Romania had the largest budget deficit in the EU in 2025, estimated at approximately 9% of GDP.”
Reuters: “The largest party in the coalition in Romania withdraws its support for the prime minister, and a political crisis looms”
Reuters writes that PSD's decision could trigger months of instability and endanger European funds and the country's rating.
“Following the caucus vote, the Social Democrats have announced they will withdraw their six Cabinet ministers later this week, which would leave the coalition without a parliamentary majority.
Bolojan's coalition government of four pro-European parties was formed 10 months ago after a polarizing presidential election in an attempt to contain the rise of the far right. However, the governing partners have constantly clashed over reforms, and Bolojan has repeatedly stated that he will not resign“, writes the quoted website.
Reuters also writes that the social democrats fear they are losing the electorate to the extreme right, while the government's austerity measures have kept Romania at the lower end of the “investment grade” rating, with high risks due to political instability.
“Centrist President Nicușor Dan tried to calm the markets by saying that the ruling parties agree on European funds and deficit targets.”
The publication also points out that the yields on Romania's dollar-denominated bonds, due in 2036, have increased, with the difference to other securities reaching 256 basis points, compared to 228 on April 15.
“The rating agencies Moody's, S&P and Fitch did not immediately comment on the political developments.
A portfolio manager at Allianz Global Investors said investors appreciate the Bolojan government's efforts to stabilize public finances, but a possible departure would be negatively perceived by the markets.
Bolojan, considered in polls the most respected politician in the coalition, announced that he will appoint interim ministers from the current cabinet, who can occupy the redistributed positions for 45 days.”
