AUR refuses to back Veștea government, says pressure from president and PSD would destroy the party

Government formation in Bucharest

On Sunday, designated prime minister Adrian Veștea submitted his cabinet list and a 68-page governing program to Parliament. The proposed government includes nine PSD ministers, five from PNL's Veștea wing, and four independents. PSD backs Veștea, but the main PNL, USR, and UDMR have declared they will not vote for the cabinet in its current form, leaving it short of a majority. Hearings for ministers are set to begin around lunch on Monday, with the investiture vote possibly taking place as early as Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

AUR's firm refusal

Senator Petrișor Peiu, leader of AUR's senators, stated unequivocally that AUR will not support the government. He accused President Nicușor Dan and PSD of pressuring AUR to vote for the cabinet, a move he said would "bring about the collapse of the AUR party." In a Facebook post, Peiu wrote: "Nicușor Dan and PSD have put themselves in the difficult situation of proposing a government that cannot pass the Parliament vote. The only way out they have found is to pressure AUR to vote for the government's investiture. But that would bring about the collapse of the AUR party."

Nicușor Dan and PSD have put themselves in the difficult situation of proposing a government that cannot pass the Parliament vote. The only way out they have found is to pressure AUR to vote for the government's investiture. But that would bring about the collapse of the AUR party.

Rumors of side deals denied

Speculation circulated over the weekend that AUR might trade its support for the Senate presidency or that a faction around deputy Murad Mohammad might break ranks. Peiu dismissed these outright: "I doubt anyone will vote for this government against the party's will. You're fooling yourselves. There won't be any vote from AUR for the Veștea government." He also denied any discussion about the Senate presidency: "Nonsense. PSD wants Predoiu. We do not support the Veștea government, that's clear. Not even for such a post."

You're fooling yourselves. There won't be any vote from AUR for the Veștea government.

Political arithmetic and early elections

Peiu argued the government has "zero chance" of passing, given that it lacks support from other parliamentary groups. AUR maintains that the only democratic solution to the political crisis is early parliamentary elections. First vice-president Dan Dungaciu wrote: "The war between the 'userisation' of PNL and the 'nicușorisation' of PSD is not ours. AUR chooses... early elections!" Peiu said AUR would either not enter the chamber or would state "present, not voting" without using the voting balls.

The war between the 'userisation' of PNL and the 'nicușorisation' of PSD is not ours. AUR chooses... early elections!

Outlook

PSD sources claim to have secured the necessary 233 votes for investiture, possibly including some from AUR, but Peiu insists party discipline will hold. The procedural calendar remains fluid; hearings are scheduled for Monday, with a vote possible midweek. Without a majority, the government faces an uncertain path, prolonging Romania's political instability.