Romania on track to their first snap election to vote for a new cabinet after being in limbo since October 10
After a five-day delay, Romania’s parliament will vote today on a new cabinet.
Romanian politics have been in a state of limbo since an October 10 vote of no-confidence toppled the Social Democrat (PSD) government of Viorica Dancila. In response, centrist President Klaus Iohannis appointed Liberal Party (PNL) leader Ludovic Orban as prime minister-designate to form a transitional government until the next parliamentary election, scheduled for March 21.
However, an ad-hoc majority formed by the PSD and the centre-left Pro Romania have successfully delayed validation of Mr Orban’s cabinet. The parties wish to delay voting on the cabinet until November 10, when the first round of presidential elections is set to begin and Mr Iohannis may be voted out of office.
In any case, Romania appears to be on the path toward its first snap-election. In the likely case that Mr Orban’s cabinet is voted down, President Iohannis would have to nominate another PNL premier to take his place, potentially leading to the collapse of yet another government.
Even if Mr Orban’s cabinet is approved and the PSD-Pro Romania alliance successfully delays a vote until the presidential elections, Mr Iohannis remains a clear favourite in the polls. In the likely scenario he is re-elected, he has already that announced that he favours early parliamentary elections.
