BUCHAREST — Romanian lawmakers rejected a new government proposed by Prime Minister-designate Adrian Vestea on Monday. The vote in Parliament resulted in 189 votes for and 23 against, with more than half of lawmakers abstaining, leaving the proposal short of the 233 votes required for passage.

Vestea, a longtime member of the National Liberal Party (PNL), was designated by Romanian President Nicusor Dan to form a government after a no-confidence vote toppled the previous administration in May. President Dan's previous prime ministerial nomination, Eugen Tomac, failed to present a cabinet within 10 days. Vestea submitted his governing program and list of ministers to Parliament on Sunday. During a speech to lawmakers on Monday, Vestea stated, "Romania is going through a complex period." He added, "There is a distrust between the citizen and the state." Vestea also noted that the country faces "serious economic challenges, social tensions accumulated over years, an international context more unstable and risky than we have known for a long time." He concluded, "But beyond all this, I believe that our real problem is something else — a crisis of trust."

President Dan did not consult Vestea's PNL before nominating him, and Vestea's party refused to endorse him. While Vestea's proposed cabinet was backed by Parliament's largest party, the Social Democratic Party (PSD), other parties withheld support. Vestea held talks with George Simion, the leader of the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), on Monday. After the meeting, Simion stated that his party would not back Vestea's cabinet, and AUR lawmakers subsequently left Parliament before casting ballots. Simion addressed Parliament during his speech, stating, "For 35 years in Romania, betrayal has been the order of the day and has somehow become commonplace, part of everyday life." He continued, "Those in this hall who are not traitors are leaving this hall synonymous with betrayal."

PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu told journalists that his party would likely not support a minority government before voting concluded. Grindeanu congratulated Vestea on "accepting to enter this battle." He also commented on the abstentions, saying, "There are others who were not even present at the vote … acting like moralists."

Romania has one of the highest budget deficits in the E.U. and faces rampant inflation. The coalition that came to power in June 2025 made reducing the budget deficit a priority. President Dan will now need to nominate another candidate for the premiership. If the next designated prime minister fails to form a government, snap elections could be triggered. A general election is not scheduled in Romania until 2028.