Bucharest, May 6: The bicameral parliament of Romania has passed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Iohannis Bolojan’s government. The motion received 281 votes in favor and only four against, leading to the government’s downfall, as reported by the parliament’s live broadcast.
According to the constitution, once the motion is passed, Bolojan will have to establish a caretaker government. This interim administration will only be able to handle day-to-day administrative tasks. It will not have the authority to enact new laws or issue emergency orders. The tenure of this caretaker government may last up to 45 days.
Iohannis, who took office in June 2025, faced strong opposition from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) due to his strict economic policies and proposals to sell certain strategic government assets. The PSD is the largest party in Romania and was previously part of the ruling coalition.
In April, the PSD withdrew its political support from the government and removed all its ministers. The party demanded Iohannis’ resignation, which he refused.
Local media outlet Digi24 reported that on April 28, Romania’s two major parliamentary parties, the PSD and the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), presented the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Iohannis in parliament.
To pass a no-confidence motion in Romania’s 464-seat parliament, at least 233 votes are required. The PSD and AUR combined hold around 220 seats, but the motion garnered signatures from 251 MPs, including support from smaller opposition parties and some independent lawmakers.
Both major parties united on this issue, despite their differing ideologies. The PSD is a center-left party, while AUR is far-right. They have never collaborated before.
Their shared goal was to remove Iohannis from power, but their other political objectives diverge. AUR seeks early elections, while PSD aims to form a new ‘European-friendly coalition government.’
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