Romania’s PM-designate Mureşan says PSD must choose between pro-EU government and AUR partnership

Romanian PM-designate Siegfried Mureşan said on Friday, September 18, that he would begin talks to secure parliamentary support for a new government with national minority lawmakers before approaching the Social Democratic Party (PSD).

He said the PSD would have to decide whether to support a pro-European government or strengthen its partnership with the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR).

Mureşan, nominated by president Nicuşor Dan to form the government, said he currently had the support of 169 lawmakers from the National Liberal Party (PNL), Save Romania Union (USR) and Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR), compared with the 233 votes required for investiture.

“We are currently starting from 169 votes. This is the number of parliamentarians that the National Liberal Party, USR and UDMR currently have,” Mureşan told Digi24 .

He said he planned to present the main elements of his proposed governing programme at the beginning of next week, initially to the three parties supporting his nomination. He would then seek discussions with the parliamentary group representing national minorities, followed by talks with the PSD.

“I propose that at the beginning of next week we present the main ideas of the government programme. It seems natural to me to first present the ideas of the parliamentary groups of the three parties that support me,” Mureşan said.

He added that he wanted to meet the national minority lawmakers as soon as possible before approaching the PSD.

Regarding the Social Democrats, Mureşan said: “The PSD will have to choose whether to support a pro-European government or to strengthen its partnership with AUR. I will be open and willing to present our vision for Romania to them and I am glad to have a frank and open discussion with my colleagues from the PSD.”

Mureşan’s nomination comes amid prolonged political uncertainty following the failure to establish a government backed by a parliamentary majority. The talks will determine whether he can secure the additional 64 votes needed beyond the current support of PNL, USR and UDMR.