Romanian lawmakers voted 281-0 to oust Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan's minority government in a no-confidence motion on Tuesday, exceeding the 233 votes required in the 464-seat joint parliamentary session. Lawmakers from Bolojan's center-right National Liberal Party (PNL), the Save Romania Union (USR), and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) abstained.

The motion, filed on April 28 by the leftist Social Democrats (PSD) and the far-right Alliance for the Uniting of Romanians (AUR), passed amid applause in parliament. Bolojan, who had led the pro-European coalition since June 2025, described the move as 'cynical and artificial,' arguing it ignored the economic context and his efforts to implement necessary fiscal reforms.

Bolojan's four-party coalition formed after centrist President Nicușor Dan's victory in a May 2025 presidential election rerun, aiming to curb far-right advances following polarized polls. It pursued austerity measures, including tax hikes, public wage and pension freezes, and spending cuts, to address Romania's budget deficit, which had exceeded 9% of GDP in 2024 and stood at 7.9% late last year. These steps brought the deficit down toward a projected 6.2% for 2026, helping avert a credit rating downgrade.

Tensions erupted in late April when PSD, parliament's largest party with 93 seats, withdrew its ministers over the unpopular policies that eroded its voter base. PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu allied temporarily with AUR leader George Simion for the vote, though both denied broader collaboration. Simion hailed the result as an end to 'taxes, war, and poverty.'

Bolojan will serve as interim premier with limited powers until a successor is named. President Dan plans consultations with parties to form a new pro-EU majority, potentially reshuffling the coalition or appointing a technocrat, as snap elections remain unlikely before 2028. Dan urged calm, reaffirming fiscal commitments to markets.

The collapse risks Romania's investment-grade rating, access to €10-11 billion in EU recovery funds due by August, and currency stability, with the leu hitting a record low against the euro. Analysts foresee weeks of negotiations, with PSD open to rejoining under new leadership but pro-EU parties wary of empowering populists.