MEP Mureșan warns of far-right coming to power in Romania — Politico Europe
In Romania, candidate for prime minister and MEP Siegfried Mureșan called on the Social Democratic Party (PSD) to support the formation of a new pro-European government. He said that a continued political deadlock could open the way for far-right forces to come to power.
As Politico Europe reports, Mureșan plans to ask the PSD to vote for the government by the end of next week. The Social Democrats had previously refused to support his cabinet, saying they were ready to vote only for a government that included them.
The Social Democrats’ position
PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu did not rule out the possibility of a coalition with the far-right Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR). Previously, the PSD and AUR jointly voted to dismiss the previous government. Mureșan called on the leadership of the European social democrats’ S&D group in Brussels to influence the Romanian party, considering its cooperation with the far right a dangerous precedent for the EU.
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At the same time, Grindeanu said that the PSD could begin negotiations with Mureșan if he agreed to include the party’s ten priority proposals in the government program. These include the development of energy infrastructure, strengthening defense and national security, reforming public services, as well as investments in education and healthcare.
The possibility of early elections
If parliament does not approve the proposed composition of the government and its program, Romanian President Nicușor Dan will gain the constitutional right to call early elections. AUR became the second-largest party in parliament after the 2024 elections and now, according to Mureșan, has about 35% support compared with 21% for his National Liberal Party (PNL).
Mureșan said that he does not consider early elections a desirable scenario, but does not rule them out if a pro-European government cannot be formed. In his view, an anti-European government coming to power would also complicate negotiations on the EU’s €2 trillion long-term budget, in which he participates as one of the European Parliament’s chief negotiators.
