Romania’s parliament rejected Prime Minister-designate Siegfried Muresan’s proposed cabinet on Wednesday, securing only 182 votes against the 233 needed for approval. The outcome prolongs a political crisis that began nearly five months ago when a pro-European coalition government collapsed.

Muresan, a 45-year-old Member of the European Parliament from the center-right National Liberal Party, was President Nicusor Dan’s third nominee for the post. His proposed government drew support from the PNL, the Save Romania Union, and the ethnic Hungarian UDMR party but failed to attract backing from the largest party, the Social Democrats, or the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians.

The vote deepens concerns over Romania’s budget deficit, the largest proportionally in the European Union, and has already pressured the national currency and debt yields. Analysts note that any government involving the PSD and AUR could complicate efforts to maintain fiscal discipline required for the country’s investment-grade rating.

President Dan, a centrist independent, has indicated he will hold consultations with party leaders and nominate another candidate on Monday to avoid snap elections. Under the constitution, two failed investiture votes after 60 days open the door to dissolving parliament, though Dan has described early elections as a last resort that would likely benefit the rising far-right AUR.

Muresan described the result as evidence that the parties responsible for the crisis chose to extend it rather than accept a reform-oriented, pro-European solution. The caretaker government led by ousted Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan continues to operate in the interim.