Romanian President Dan breaks democratic norms by tapping new PM

Romanian President Nicusor Dan, known as a passionate chess player, has made a move that many consider a breach of democratic rules. On Sunday, in early May 2026, Dan nominated Adrian Vestea of the National Liberal Party (PNL) as his candidate for prime minister after the previous nominee stepped down. Vestea currently heads the Brasov county council, but his track record is marred by a questionable university degree and a failure to repair access roads to a major NATO military base in Romania.

The president made his choice without consulting the parliamentary parties as required by the constitution. Even his own party leadership was kept in the dark. PNL Chairman Ilie Bolojan, who is serving as interim prime minister, called the nomination a "hostile act" and an "attempt to divide the PNL." Some commentators note that Dan, once a champion of the rule of law, is now disregarding constitutional principles.

Romania has been mired in political instability for years, with frequent changes of government. The country has one of the highest budget deficits in the EU, exceeding 9% of GDP in 2024. Romania is under pressure to implement administrative, tax, and judicial reforms, as its judiciary is seen as corrupt. Without these changes, it risks a severe financial crisis and losing billions in EU funds. However, the political elite has been reluctant to act.

Against this backdrop, pro-Russian far-right parties have gained traction. In the 2024 parliamentary election, three such parties together won 35% of the vote, with the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) being the largest. In the 2024 presidential election, pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu unexpectedly won the first round, but the Constitutional Court annulled the election due to alleged Russian interference. While Russian propaganda is widespread, it remains unclear how decisive its impact was.

Dan, then mayor of Bucharest, won the rerun presidential election in spring 2025, portraying himself as a moderate conservative and pro-European patriot. After taking office in May 2025, he formed a four-party coalition including the PNL, the Social Democratic Party (PSD), the green-liberal USR, and the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania. However, by April 2026, the PSD, unhappy with Bolojan's reforms, left the coalition and brought down the government via a no-confidence vote with far-right support.

Dan is now desperate to form a new pro-European government to avoid early elections, which far-right parties would likely win. But the math does not work: the PNL and USR refuse to govern with the PSD, though a small faction within the PNL is still willing to cooperate with the Social Democrats. Vestea belongs to that wing. Without the PSD, any government that excludes the far right is impossible.

Philosopher and political commentator Andrei Cornea argues that Dan has long violated his principles, citing his refusal to sign a law imposing stricter penalties for fascist propaganda and his appointment of questionable figures to anti-corruption posts. "It seemed to us that Dan, whatever his mistakes, remained a democrat," Cornea wrote. "For a long time, we believed he was 'our president.' Once again — for the umpteenth time — we were wrong. Now we know: He is 'their' president!"