Grindeanu's coalition demand stalls Niculescu government, PNL likely to stay out

Sorin Grindeanu conditioned his vote for the Luca Niculescu-proposed cabinet on the inclusion of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) in the executive, while excluding the Save Romania Union (USR). This demand would force PNL leader Ilie Bolojan to form a coalition with the Social Democratic Party (PSD), a scenario both Bolojan and UDMR head Kelemen Hunor are unlikely to accept.

Analysts note that PNL has recently revived its opposition stance toward PSD, and UDMR fears a renewed partnership could jeopardise its parliamentary presence in 2028. With PNL expected to refuse, the Niculescu government’s chances of securing a parliamentary vote have sharply declined, raising the prospect that Niculescu may resign before a vote, as Eugen Tomac previously did. If the cabinet collapses, options include appointing Grindeanu as prime minister or calling early elections, though the president has avoided both routes. The deadlock highlights the exhausted pool of solutions within one outlet parliament.