Siegfried Mureșan, on the political deadlock in Romania, in an interview with Politico: Early elections should not be ruled out if a pro-European government cannot be formed

Designated Prime Minister Siegfried Mureșan called on the Social Democratic Party (PSD) to support the formation of a pro-European government led by the National Liberal Party (PNL), warning that the Social Democrats’ refusal could facilitate the far right’s accession to power. The statement was made in an interview for Politico, amid the political crisis in Bucharest.

Mureșan announced that he would ask the PSD to support the new Executive, although the party’s leader, Sorin Grindeanu, stated that the party would not vote for the proposed government and would support only an Executive of which it was a part.

“Romanian socialists are facing a moment of truth: they must decide whether to behave like responsible European social democrats and support a pro-European government, or whether to intensify their cooperation with the far right, with the populist and anti-European extremist party here,” Mureșan said.

Grindeanu, however, indicated ten conditions for possible negotiations, including investments in energy infrastructure, strengthening national defense and security, reforming public services, and funding education and healthcare.

Another failure to form a government could lead to snap elections, which President Nicușor Dan would have the constitutional authority to call. Mureșan warned that AUR is polling at approximately 35%, compared with 21% for the PNL. He also called on European socialists to intervene to prevent the PSD from moving closer to the far right and warned that an anti-European government would affect Romania, the EU, and support for Ukraine.

“Snap elections are not my preferred option,” Mureșan said. “I believe we should try to form a pro-European government now. However, if this is not possible, I believe they should not be ruled out.”