Romania Inaugurates Conservative Government After 6 Months of Uncertainty

Ilie Bolojan. X/ @SurseMD

June 25, 2025 Hour: 7:49 am

Ilie Bolojan assured that his government will promote changes, beginning with the political class and public administration.

On Monday, conservative Ilie Bolojan was sworn in as Romania’s new prime minister after receiving majority support in Parliament, thanks to a government agreement between four pro-European parties aiming to curb the fiscal deficit and contain the rise of ultranationalism

During his speech before Parliament, the new prime minister assured that his government will promote changes, beginning with the political class and public administration. “We must apologize to our citizens for the state Romania is in; we must not repeat the mistakes of the past,” Bolojan stated.

The new coalition’s priority will be to reduce the public deficit, the highest in the European Union, which reached 9.3% of GDP in 2024. The planned measures include raising various taxes, including VAT and corporate profit taxes, the privatization of public companies, cutting state spending, and reforming the tax system.

The government program also speaks of promoting birth rates and supporting families with children. In terms of international policy, it also addresses the Atlanticist and pro-European direction of Romania, a member of NATO since 2004 and the EU since 2007, and supporting Moldova’s entry into the bloc.

Romania has, as of today, a legitimate government, formed by pro-European and Euro-Atlantic parties. Through the responsibility and dedication of Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and the cabinet of ministers, Romania will continue its reforms and the strengthening of democracy. pic.twitter.com/8I2QV1EOq5
— Mircea Abrudean (@AbrudeanMircea) June 23, 2025

On Tuesday, Senator Mircea Abrudean of the National Liberal Party (PNL) was elected president of the Senate with 89 votes in favor and 28 against, backed by the ruling coalition. He succeeds Ilie Bolojan, who resigned after taking office as prime minister on Monday.

Other candidates for the Senate presidency included Mircia Chelaru of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) party, who received 27 votes, and Dumitru Manea of S.O.S. Romania, who secured only one vote.

In a separate electronic ballot, PNL Senator Lucian Rusu was elected Senate vice-president, receiving 81 votes in favor. In the lower house, Social Democrat Sorin Grindeanu was elected president of the Chamber of Deputies with 201 votes. His opponent, Ionel Goidescu of S.O.S. Romania, received just 20 votes.

Following his election, Grindeanu pledged to maintain a balance between government and opposition, emphasizing the need for legislative proposals to include clear budgetary coverage.