Romania’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) withdrew its six ministers from Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan’s cabinet on April 23, triggering a shift to an interim government and deepening the political standoff at the centre of the ruling coalition, according to a PSD statement. The move comes as the ruling coalition reshapes following the PSD’s withdrawal of political support for Bolojan.

The party said it “has not abandoned ruling” but instead “initiated a change requested by a large majority of Romanians”, while simultaneously arguing that the reshaped cabinet lacks democratic legitimacy without a parliamentary majority.

Bolojan moved quickly to contain the fallout, appointing interim ministers who can serve for up to 45 days without parliamentary approval, while preparing to seek legislative backing for a new line-up. The government now operates in a fragile configuration, exposed to a potential no-confidence motion that the PSD has not yet committed to, given its dependence on opposition support.

Despite exiting the cabinet, PSD signalled it is keeping its options open. The party said it is ready to support a new “pro-European government” under a different prime minister, political or technocratic, pointing to a strategy that combines pressure on Bolojan with room for re-entry into power.

The withdrawal is only partial. PSD state secretaries remain in place for now, with outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Marian Neacșu saying, according to ProTV, they would resign only when a no-confidence motion is filed. The move preserves the PSD’s influence across ministries and state institutions, while creating potential friction points within the administration, but also helping a smooth operation of the executive.

Bolojan said remaining officials would be assessed on “professional criteria”, signalling possible selective removals as he seeks to assert control.

The prime minister outlined a reform-focused agenda for the interim period, centred on commitments under the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Key priorities include passing the long-delayed unitary wage law for the public sector, a milestone tied to €770mn in grants that must be secured by August 31.

He also pledged changes in the energy sector aimed at curbing speculative practices in renewable projects, including cases where grid connection rights are traded for profit. Bolojan will temporarily assume the role of energy minister. A third reform mentioned by Bolojan regards increasing the retirement age in the military sector: the Army, Police, Gendarmerie, and the intelligence services as well. 

Among the other proposed interim appointments are Dragoș Pîslaru, the current European projects minister, for the labour ministry; Cseke Attila, the current development minister, for health; deputy prime minister Tanczos Barna for agriculture; and Cătălin Predoiu, the current interior minister, for justice. Radu Miruță, the current defence minister, has been proposed for transport, while deputy prime minister Oana Gheorghiu is set to take over responsibilities previously held by PSD deputy PM Marian Neacșu.

A government meeting on April 27 is expected to set immediate priorities as the minority cabinet attempts to maintain momentum under mounting political pressure.