Romania Forms Pro-European Coalition to Counter Far-Right Surge

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu's government secures parliamentary approval after election turmoil and allegations of Russian interference.

Romanian lawmakers approved a new pro-European coalition government led by Marcel Ciolacu, with 240 votes in favor and 143 against.
The coalition includes the Social Democratic Party (PSD), National Liberal Party (PNL), the Hungarian minority UDMR, and ethnic minority groups, aiming to block far-right nationalist influence.
The Constitutional Court annulled the first round of the presidential election citing Russian meddling, including alleged TikTok-driven disinformation campaigns.
The coalition has agreed to field a unified pro-European candidate for the rerun of the presidential election, with a date yet to be announced.
Romania faces significant challenges, including a rising far-right, economic instability, and organizing a credible presidential election rerun.