Romania: PSD, UDMR leaders negotiate minority government to bypass AUR

Sources indicate that PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu is actively negotiating with UDMR president Kelemen Hunor to form a minority PSD-UDMR government in Romania.

If Hunor agrees, the new government could be invested with votes from PSD, UDMR, the conservative wing of PNL, Victor Ponta's sovereigntists, and the national minorities' group. This configuration would bypass the need for support from the AUR party, allowing President Nicușor Dan to fulfill his commitment to avoid collaboration with AUR and enabling Romania to have a fully empowered government.

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PSD leader Sorin Grindeanu is negotiating these days with UDMR president Kelemen Hunor for the formation of a minority PSD-UDMR government, according to political sources for Adevărul.

Under this proposed scenario, Sorin Grindeanu is considered the frontrunner for the prime minister position, potentially leading the government until the parliamentary elections scheduled for December 2028. Kelemen Hunor has not given a definitive answer but described the proposal as "a variant to consider" for resolving the current political crisis.

The idea of a minority PSD-led government is not new, having been discussed since the fall of the Bolojan government in May. Initial discussions involved a technocratic premier to ease acceptance by President Dan and other parties. However, the UDMR has shown hesitation due to the lack of a parliamentary majority without external support. Hunor had previously presented three potential solutions to the crisis, including a minority PNL–USR–UDMR government supported by PSD, a single-party PSD government backed by PNL, UDMR, and minorities, or a fragile coalition of PSD, PNL, UDMR, and minorities.

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it is 'a variant to consider' for unblocking the political crisis.