During his brief time in office, Bolojan attempted to tackle the challenges Romania faces with painful austerity plans he attempted to impose with headstrong determination.
But last month the social democrats, who hold the most seats in parliament, pulled out of the prime minister’s coalition government in a show of protests against his leadership and the spending cuts that affected parts of the country they represent. The PSD’s decision to work with Simion to overthrow Bolojan may have a lasting impact on how the crisis unfolds.
Simion won the most votes in the first round of last year’s presidential election before losing to Dan in the run-off vote. Since then, his nationalists have consolidated their support and are currently leading the polls. But President Dan has been clear he will not allow Simion’s party to be part of the next government.
“I want to assure Romanians that, whatever happens, Romania will continue to follow its Western path, the state will continue to function, and there is political agreement on the immediate fundamental goals,” he said before the parliamentary vote.
Cristian Pîrvulescu, of the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration in Bucharest, said Dan was undertaking an “extremely difficult” task as he attempts to restore stability.
“He becomes the conductor of a dysfunctional orchestra at the worst possible moment,” he said. “The political crisis has now formally become a governmental one, with constitutional risks still on the table if coalition-building fails.”