Romanian parties PNL and USR agree on joint candidate for Timișoara mayor

Political leaders Ilie Bolojan of the National Liberal Party (PNL) and Dominic Fritz of the Save Romania Union (USR) have reached an agreement to field a joint candidate for the upcoming Timișoara mayoral election. Political sources confirmed the deal, which aims to consolidate support for a unified opposition against other parties.

The move is precipitated by new integrity legislation that will cause Fritz to lose his mayoral mandate at the end of September. The PNL and USR anticipate that the new government will schedule partial elections for Timișoara this autumn. Consequently, the two parties will present a united front against candidates from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR).

Discussions have centered on potential candidates, with Ruben Lațcău, the current deputy mayor from USR, being considered. On the opposing side, PSD is reportedly considering Alexandru Rogobete, a former Minister of Health. Fritz, after concluding his mayoral term, plans to relocate to Bucharest to lead the USR party nationally, though he intends to return to Timișoara to support the joint candidate's campaign.

Under the new law, Fritz is ineligible to run for local or parliamentary elections for the next three years. However, he remains eligible for a ministerial position should USR continue its participation in the governing coalition.