The Romanian Parliament is due to consider Adrian Veștea’s nomination as prime minister, along with his governing programme and proposed cabinet, at 21:30 on Monday. Like Eugen Tomac before him, Veștea has struggled to secure sufficient parliamentary support. Unlike his predecessor, however, he has refused to withdraw and is pressing ahead with the confidence vote.
Romanian media have also reported disagreements between Veștea and President Nicușor Dan, who nominated him for the premiership. According to these reports, the president had concluded that the nomination was likely to fail and summoned Veștea to the presidential palace, but the prime minister-designate declined to attend.
Romania government vote depends on AUR
Another source of tension between the president and his nominee is Veștea’s decision to seek support from the sovereigntist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), a party strongly opposed by Dan. Relations with AUR have also proved difficult. The party initially announced that its deputies and senators would not only refuse to support Veștea, but would leave the chamber during the vote.
The decision to walk out rather than cast a united vote against the cabinet also suggested that there may be differences within the party over how to respond. However, AUR’s position was not presented as final. Party leader George Simion invited the prime minister-designate to talks shortly before the decisive parliamentary session.
Simion demands clarity from Nicușor Dan
“I am expecting Mr Veștea at our party headquarters today at 20:00 to discuss what he intends to do for the country. And Nicușor Dan should state publicly whether AUR’s votes are needed. During the meeting, they should also tell us whether AUR deputies are considered extremists. We are prepared to lend our support now that we have freed ourselves from this false label of extremism and the other insulting accusations directed against us. Depending on how our discussion with Mr Veștea proceeds, as well as on what Mr Nicușor Dan says, we will transparently explain the steps we intend to take, as we have always done. Not behind locked doors and not through secret negotiations. We want Romania to return to normality. We understand that dialogue is necessary in politics,” Simion claimed.
Following the meeting, Simion said that AUR was not, at that stage, considering voting for the proposed government and was awaiting clarification from the president.
Veștea needs sovereigntist support
The sovereigntists hold around 90 seats in the Romanian Parliament, meaning their support could give Veștea at least some prospect of securing the premiership. The central question is whether Veștea, and more importantly Nicușor Dan, are prepared to offer concessions in exchange for their votes.
The Romania government vote has therefore placed AUR in a decisive position. Despite attempts by its opponents to isolate the party, the current parliamentary arithmetic has made dialogue with the sovereigntists increasingly difficult to avoid.
