Another round of talks in Bucharest has ended with no deal, and the idea of snap elections is gaining ground.
President Nicusor Dan met the leaders of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Save Romania Union (USR) and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians (UDMR), along with representatives of national minorities. The aim was to assemble a parliamentary majority. The mood was better than in earlier rounds, according to descriptions of the meeting, yet no party showed any readiness to give ground.
Political sources say the chance of a new government before parliament returns in September is slim. Sources also told Digi24 that Dan no longer rules out early elections, though he regards them as a last resort. Negotiations are expected to pick up again once lawmakers return on 1 September.
Few names, no breakthrough
Candidates for prime minister got little attention during the talks. One name has circulated: Alexandru Nazare, a former finance minister, floated as a compromise figure to lead a temporary government. He lacks the backing of the Social Democrats.
Dan has said more than once that he will not nominate a prime minister unless that person has a realistic chance of winning parliamentary support.
USR leader Dominic Fritz argued that Romania needs a “bold government” able to push through reforms. If no majority can be found, he said, “perhaps it is time for Romanians to decide,” a reference to early elections.
Caretaker rule since May
The country has had only a caretaker administration since 5 May, when a no-confidence vote brought down the government of Ilie Bolojan. Two later efforts to put a new cabinet together have both failed.
Nearly 70 days into the deadlock, the question is whether party leaders can strike an agreement when parliament reconvenes, or whether Romania heads for its first snap parliamentary elections in many years.
