ROMANIA-BUCHAREST-NEW GOVERNMENT-SWEARING-IN

(241223) — BUCHAREST, Dec. 23, 2024 (Xinhua) — Members of Romania’s new government headed by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu attend a swearing-in ceremony at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. Romania’s new government, headed by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, was sworn in on Monday shortly after securing a vote of confidence in Parliament. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Romania has recently established a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. This development follows a period of political instability marked by the annulment of the presidential election due to alleged Russian interference.

Formation of the New Government

On December 23, 2024, Romanian lawmakers approved the new government with a narrow vote of 240-143 in the 466-seat legislature. The coalition comprises the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the National Liberal Party (PNL), the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), and representatives of national minorities. This alliance aims to counter the rise of far-right nationalist parties and restore political stability.

(241223) — BUCHAREST, Dec. 23, 2024 (Xinhua) — A member of Romania’s Parliament votes during an investiture vote at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday nominated incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to lead a new pro-European coalition government, aiming to resolve the political crisis following the annulment of a presidential election. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Key Objectives

Prime Minister Ciolacu, who has been in office since June 2023, emphasized the government’s commitment to:

Restoring Public Trust: Addressing the political crisis and rebuilding confidence in democratic institutions.
Organizing New Presidential Elections: Promptly arranging a rerun of the presidential election with a unified pro-European candidate to ensure fair and transparent proceedings.
Economic Stability: Tackling economic challenges, including reducing the budget deficit, which is projected to be the largest in the EU at 8.6% of GDP this year. This may involve implementing tax increases and other fiscal measures.

Political Context

The political turmoil intensified after the Constitutional Court annulled the presidential election, citing suspected Russian interference that benefited a far-right pro-Russian candidate. In response, the pro-European coalition seeks to prevent the far-right from gaining power and to maintain Romania’s alignment with European and Euro-Atlantic values.

The new government’s formation is seen as a crucial step toward stabilizing Romania’s political landscape and addressing both internal and external challenges.

(241223) — BUCHAREST, Dec. 23, 2024 (Xinhua) — Marcel Ciolacu (1st L, Front) and members of his cabinet are seen before an investiture vote at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 23, 2024. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Monday nominated incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to lead a new pro-European coalition government, aiming to resolve the political crisis following the annulment of a presidential election. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Before the formation of the current government in Romania, the country was led by a coalition government formed by the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Liberal Party (PNL).

This coalition was part of a rotating prime minister agreement, in which leadership alternated between the two parties. Nicolae Ciucă, from the National Liberal Party (PNL), initially served as the Prime Minister starting in November 2021, followed by Marcel Ciolacu from the Social Democratic Party (PSD), who took over in June 2023 as part of the arrangement.

The recent political changes in Romania reflect a continuation of efforts to stabilize governance amidst challenges like economic concerns, political instability, and the rise of far-right nationalist sentiments.