Romanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil

Marcel Ciolacu, the leader of Romania’s Social Democratic Party, casts his ballot during a confidence vote for him and his team at the parliament in Bucharest, Romania, on Monday. Romanian lawmakers on Monday voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. After parliament’s approval, President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government and warned the new Cabinet that it’s entering a “difficult new period” in which “for many Romanians, there are major concerns.” Romania was plunged into turmoil after Georgescu’s surprise success in the presidential race, after allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference emerged. “I hope that together with my colleagues in the coalition, we’ll find the best solutions to get past the challenges we have in front of us.” Ciolacu said that the new government would aim to quickly organize the rerun of the presidential election in which the new coalition has agreed to put forward an agreed-upon pro-European candidate. “The only decisive factor now will be who and how convincing the pro-European candidates will be against this popular revolt.” George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, which came second in the parliamentary election, said that all lawmakers from his party on Monday would vote against the Ciolacu government.