Romania's pro-EU government falls after no-confidence vote

Prefer on Google by Martin Fornusek Then-interim President of Romania Ilie Bolojan leaves following the 'Coalition Of The Willing' summit in support of Ukraine at the Elysee Palace on March 27, 2025, in Paris, France. (Tom Nicholson/Getty Images) Romania's minority government led by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan has fallen after losing a confidence vote on May 5, plunging the EU country into political uncertainty. The motion was initiated by the Social Democrats (PSD), who left the governing coalition last month, and by the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), led by George Simion, a divisive figure barred from entering Ukraine and Moldova. The no-confidence vote was backed by 281 lawmakers in Romania's 465-member bicameral parliament. To succeed, the motion required 233 votes. Bolojan's government will remain in an interim role until a new majority is formed. Romanian President Nicusor Dan is now expected to hold consultations to help broker a new coalition. The development comes as Romania rushes to pass reforms needed to unlock some 11 billion euros ($13 billion) in EU funds, even as the far right surges in the polls. AUR head Simion, a nationalist and an admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump, is a long-time critic of Romania's support for Ukraine amid Russia's all-out invasion. The football hooligan-turned-politician came second in the Romanian presidential elections in 2025, and his party currently polls around 35%, far ahead of its competitors. Bolojan, head of the National Liberal Party (PNL), formed a four-party pro-EU coalition together with the Social Democrats in June 2025 to keep the far right from power. The PSD left the cabinet in April due to opposition to unpopular austerity measures, before joining forces with AUR to topple the government — drawing criticism for allying with Euroskeptic nationalists. Romania has supported its neighbor, Ukraine, since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. The southeastern EU and NATO member has been helping Ukraine export agricultural goods amid the Black Sea blockade, supplying equipment such as a Patriot air defense battery, and hosting a base for training Ukrainian F-16 pilots. Romania has been directly impacted by Russia's war, with Russian drones repeatedly entering Romanian territory during attacks on Ukraine's Danube ports.