Parliament Scandal: USR and PNL Walk Out After PSD Forms New Majority with AUR and SOS

Leadership Redistribution Sparks Plenary Walkout

According to the meeting record, Natalia Intotero (PSD), who chaired the opening session, read the list of newly assigned positions across political groups. The allocation granted one vice-presidential seat each to PSD, AUR, PNL, and USR. However, changes to secretary and quaestor roles stripped PNL and USR of specific posts, handing them to SOS România and AUR instead.

Gabriel Andronache, the leader of PNL deputies, immediately objected to the announcement. According to Andronache, the presented list violated agreements made at the start of the legislative term regarding proportional distribution. He stated that PNL was entitled to two functions in the Permanent Bureau for this session, while AUR’s turn for a secretary post was scheduled for the final session of the legislature. “What you presented is a falsification,” Andronache told the plenary, before requesting a recess for group leaders to renegotiate.

Accusations of a New Parliamentary Coalition

According to USR group leader Diana Stoica, the realignment signaled the formation of a new majority. Stoica claimed from the tribunal that a “monstrous coalition” was forming between PSD, AUR, and extremist factions to secure votes for a new government. Cotidianul reported that the new Permanent Bureau lineup ultimately passed with 193 votes in favor, six against, and two abstentions.

AUR leader George Simion rejected the criticism. According to Simion, USR was holding onto governance with 8% support and urged them to accept a return to the ballot box to establish stability. Following the failed negotiations during the recess, PNL and USR deputies abandoned the chamber. Adrian Cozma, a PNL deputy who retained his role as vice-president, stated outside the hall that PSD had engineered a new majority with SOS România to support the government.

UDMR Stance and Future Government Support

According to UDMR group leader Csoma Botond, his party’s support for a future government—whether led by PSD or an independent—remains strictly conditioned on majority backing and excludes any administration voted in by AUR. Botond defended UDMR’s vote on the bureau positions by citing standard parliamentary weight calculations, despite criticism from PNL regarding cooperation with extremist factions.

New Permanent Bureau Configuration

The revised leadership structure for the Chamber of Deputies includes the following assignments:

• PSD: Ştefan Popa (Leader), Natalia Intotero (Vice-president), Silvia Mihalcea (Secretary), Romeo Lungu and Bucura Oprescu (Quaestors)
• AUR: Mihai Enache (Leader), Gianina Şerban (Vice-president), Ramona Bruynseeles (Secretary), Bogdan Velcescu (Chestor)
• PNL: Gabriel Andronache (Leader), Adrian Cozma (Vice-president)
• USR: Diana Stoica (Leader), Cătălin Drulă (Vice-president)
• UDMR: Csoma Botond (Leader), Lorand Balint (Chestor)
• National Minorities: Varujan Pambuccian (Leader), Ovidiu Ganț (Secretary)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did PNL and USR leave the Chamber of Deputies plenary?

According to session records, the two parties walked out after losing each a secretary position in the Permanent Bureau, which were reallocated to SOS România and AUR.

Who leads the new Permanent Bureau positions?

The new bureau includes representatives from PSD, AUR, PNL, USR, UDMR, and National Minorities, established through a vote of 193 in favor.

What did PNL and USR accuse the other parties of doing?

According to PNL and USR representatives, the vote demonstrated the creation of a new, informal governing majority between PSD and extremist parliamentary groups.

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