Romania’s Government Falls After No-Confidence Vote

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila was dealt a no-confidence vote on October 10. (Wikimedia Commons)

Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila’s parliament collapsed after 238 lawmakers voted in favor of a no-confidence motion on October 10.

After the previous party leader was arrested for abuse of office last year, Dancila became the first female prime minister and received praise for overturning many of her predecessor’s policies. However, as the third prime minister in a single year, Dancila arrived in office at a politically tumultuous time. Furthermore, she lacked experience in office and found it increasingly difficult to successfully navigate the political unrest.

Dancila had felt political pressure since her party’s coalition partner broke away in August. This fracture led to partisan stalemates on important domestic priorities, such as healthcare and education. President Klaus Iohannis has been consistently vocal in his opposition to Dancila’s leadership, calling for her resignation in April. The two have clashed over reducing the budget deficit and nominating an EU transport commissioner.

Following this week’s vote of no-confidence, Iohannis must choose a new Prime Minister within 60 days. He has several options; however, it is unlikely Iohannis will be able to form a coalition, as the opposition parties are reluctant to take office before parliamentary elections next year. However, if he is to form a coalition, Iohannis must first decide whether to compromise with the more liberal or conservative opposition parties. If he cannot reach a solution, Romania can adopt a caretaker government until next year’s parliamentary elections, or even a provisional government to hold over until the presidential elections next month.

“Romania’s nightmare is now over and we’re now embarking on a new period of reconstruction, which won’t be easy,” said Ludivic Orban, the leader of the opposition Liberal Party.

Since Romanian politicians doubt Iohannis will reach a coalition, many are calling for snap parliamentary elections as early as January. This would be the first early parliamentary vote in Romania since the fall of communism.

“After three years of chaos, incompetence and irresponsibility, [Viorica Dancila] today lost power,” said one party leader. “I now call on the president and Romania’s responsible political parties to agree on a constitutional path that will end with the dissolution of parliament and early elections.”

Dancila is still currently running for President against Iohannis, and this vote of no-confidence has not deterred her from continuing her campaign. She remains leader of her party, and urged the president to find a replacement prime minister urgently, “even today”. 

“I led a good government,” Dancila maintained after the vote. “We did our duty.”