BUCHAREST, March 23 (Reuters) - Romania's leftist Social Democrats will decide on April 20 whether to remain in the broad coalition government of reform-driven Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan,
Romanian Social Democrats to Decide on Coalition Participation April 20
Political Tensions and Coalition Dynamics in Romania
Social Democrats' Upcoming Decision
BUCHAREST, March 23 (Reuters) - Romania's leftist Social Democrats will decide on April 20 whether to remain in the broad coalition government of reform-driven Liberal Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, their leader said on Monday, days after the party threatened to block the 2026 budget.
Coalition Disputes and Budget Challenges
The Social Democrats have clashed both with Bolojan and with the centre-right Save Romania Union (USR), the junior coalition partner, over reforms and cuts to state spending and jobs needed to lower the highest budget deficit in the European Union.
Threats to Block the Budget
Earlier this month they threatened to block the 2026 budget after they failed to push through last-minute welfare handouts. The four parties in the coalition ultimately reached a compromise by delaying other payments.
Deficit Reduction Efforts
The nine-month-old coalition of pro-EU parties has had to raise taxes and cut state spending to lower the deficit to an estimated 6.2% of economic output this year from over 9% two years ago to prevent a ratings downgrade to below investment level.
Fiscal Corrections and Political Risks
Further fiscal corrections are needed, however, to stay the hand of ratings agencies and maintain access to badly needed EU recovery funds, with analysts and observers saying political instability is a key risk for the country.
Economic Impact and Opposition Gains
The government measures pushed inflation near double digits and the economy into technical recession while boosting support for the opposition far right, which leads opinion polls.
Role of the Social Democrats
A pro-European governing majority cannot exist without the Social Democrats, the largest party in parliament but currently polling significantly below the opposition far right.
Upcoming Elections
Romania holds a parliamentary election in 2028.
Coalition Alternatives and Presidential Influence
Some Social Democrats have said they would stay in a coalition if the Liberals appointed another premier and excluded the USR. They ruled out forming a new majority with the far right.
Presidential Backing for USR
USR has the backing of centrist President Nicusor Dan, who nominates the prime minister from a parliamentary majority.
(Reporting by Luiza IlieEditing by Alexandra Hudson)
