PNL moves to opposition as key liberals refuse to back Niculescu government

Adrian Cozma, vice-president of the Chamber of Deputies and a prominent liberal, abstained from supporting the Luca Niculescu cabinet, joining fellow PNL deputies Ionel Bogdan and Alexandru Muraru in voting against it. Their opposition forced the National Liberal Party (PNL) to move into the opposition benches. Bogdan warned that the Social Democratic Party (PSD) can no longer be both in power and in opposition, demanding fiscal responsibility from the new government.

Muraru, in a Facebook post, denounced the cabinet’s lineup, citing integrity concerns and the appointment of Marian Neacșu to the Interior Ministry, and warned that Niculescu might serve only as a figurehead for PSD. The internal turmoil follows Ilie Bolojan’s exit from the presidential palace and his call for the resignation of PNL-appointed public officials. Alin Tișe, president of Cluj County Council, criticized the party’s handling of the resignations, accusing it of treating officials as personal property.