Romania PM nominee seeks confidence vote with no clear majority
Why it matters: A failed vote could deepen the crisis, threaten EU funding access and add pressure on Romania's investment-grade rating.
Romania's prime minister-designate, Adrian Vestea, asked parliament for a confidence vote after President Nicusor Dan nominated him to try to rebuild a pro-European government. But Vestea appeared short of support after the Liberal Party expelled him and barred members from backing his cabinet. The Social Democrats moved to support the proposed government, which includes nine PSD ministers, after helping bring down Ilie Bolojan's coalition in May. The Save Romania Union and UDMR also withheld support, leaving Vestea dependent on defectors, independents or the hard-right AUR. The prolonged deadlock risks delaying reforms, blocking access to billions of euros in EU funds and hurting Romania's sovereign credit standing.