The political turmoil in Romania intensified on Monday night when lawmakers rejected with a decisive majority a new government proposed by the country’s new prime minister-designate, Adrian Vestea. Rejection extends a months-long crisis that began when the previous administration was toppled by a no-confidence vote in May.

A vote in Parliament was far from the required 233 to get it approved. The proposed cabinet garnered 189 votes while 23 voted against it and more than half of the lawmakers abstained.

President of Romania Nicusor Dan nominated Vestea, as stability was expected from his administrative experience. Veteran National Liberal Party (PNL) member Vestea was the second candidate for the job as Eugen Tomac, the former nominee, failed to have a government by the deadline of 10 days.

Vestea pointed to the nation’s grave economic and social issues and said a lack of trust among citizens and the State was a problem that had worsened since then in his messages on Sunday. High inflation and one of the largest budget deficits in the European Union are the current challenges of the government in Romania and it is important to act now.

Partisan Clashes Keep Romania in Political Limbo

Vestea had a tough campaign due in part to the absence of within-party support. He was nominated by President Dan, preferring not to seek the approval of the PNL. His proposed cabinet, however, was formed on the basis of the support of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), which was the largest party in Parliament.

Vestea tried unsuccessfully to woo the hard-right nationalist opposition, the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), in its last-ditch attempt. But AUR boss George Simion disagreed, saying the “mainstream political manoeuvres” were “betrayals”, and walked out the lawmakers before the vote.

After the election, PSD chief Sorin Grindeanu questioned the sustainability of a minority government, branding the missing lawmakers “posturers” instead of “governing.

But the failure of the mainstream parties to be able to form a governing majority only fuels the populist opposition, say political analysts. It leaves President Dan with a third option for his choice as premier. If the next attempt fails, it could set up snap elections well before the 2028 general elections, further postponing key economic reforms.