Tensions have run high in Romania since the election was annulled in December following allegations that Russian interference had propelled far-right NATO critic Calin Georgescu into pole position in the first round.
Analysts had said the three hard-right parties that filed the no-confidence motion - which accused the two-month-old coalition government led by Social Democrat Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of corruption and of losing credibility - had done so to boost their profile before the rerun.
The three parties won around 35% of seats in a parliamentary election on December 1 last year, capitalising on voters' anger with a centrist establishment facing accusations of corruption.
The no-confidence motion was supported by 144 lawmakers, short of the 233 votes needed to pass.
"You are not interested in the problems Romanians are confronting every day," Ciolacu told opposition lawmakers before the vote. "You infect society day by day with the virus of lies and hatred."
"The political chaos you want to bring in Romania will be automatically followed by economic chaos. The euro will reach the sky. All construction sites will be closed. People will live in poverty unable to pay their bills."
Opposition lawmakers shouted "thieves" during his speech.
"You are the ugly face of the system which mocked this country for 35 years," George Simion, the leader of hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians, told Ciolacu.
Prosecutors said on Wednesday they had launched a criminal investigation against Georgescu over accusations including promoting antisemitism. Georgescu has said he will run again.
Members of U.S. President Donald Trump's administration have criticised Romania for annulling the election.
Georgescu, who has praised Romania's 1930s fascist leaders and expressed admiration for both the U.S. and Russian presidents, remains voters' top choice for the presidency, according to opinion polls.
Mircea Abrudean, Acting President of the Romanian Senate, began an official visit to Azerbaijan on April 13 to strengthen diplomatic ties and explore expanded cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, education, and inter-parliamentary dialogue.
The Russian Federation has announced the expulsion of two Romanian diplomats in response to the recent designation of Russian diplomats in Bucharest as personae non gratae.
Thousands protested in Bucharest against the annulment of Romania’s presidential election and the ban on far-right frontrunner Calin Georgescu. With a new vote set for May, George Simion emerges as the hard-right's candidate, as tensions rise over Romania’s political future and EU ties.
A far-right candidate is projected to win the first round of Romania’s presidential election rerun in May, a survey shows. However, centrist Bucharest mayor Nicusor Dan is expected to prevail in the final round, keeping Romania on its pro-European course despite rising nationalist rhetoric.
Romanian far-right politician and Russian supporter Calin Georgescu has refrained from endorsing any other candidate after being definitively barred from standing in May’s presidential election rerun.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
From the Vatican’s tolling bells to the Eiffel Tower going dark and candlelit vigils in Nairobi, cities on every continent paused this week to mourn Pope Francis, turning plazas, cathedrals and national monuments into a single, global memorial.
Ukraine and Russia have signaled a renewed willingness to pursue peace, as Kyiv prepares for high-level talks in London and Moscow voices support for diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict.
Early voting has begun in Australia ahead of the May 3 federal election, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor Party maintaining a narrow lead over the conservative opposition coalition led by Peter Dutton.
Cardinals are set to convene on Tuesday to begin preparations for Pope Francis' funeral, following his sudden death on Monday, and to initiate the transition toward electing the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 16th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
From the Vatican’s tolling bells to the Eiffel Tower going dark and candlelit vigils in Nairobi, cities on every continent paused this week to mourn Pope Francis, turning plazas, cathedrals and national monuments into a single, global memorial.
Ukraine and Russia have signaled a renewed willingness to pursue peace, as Kyiv prepares for high-level talks in London and Moscow voices support for diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict.
Early voting has begun in Australia ahead of the May 3 federal election, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor Party maintaining a narrow lead over the conservative opposition coalition led by Peter Dutton.
Cardinals are set to convene on Tuesday to begin preparations for Pope Francis' funeral, following his sudden death on Monday, and to initiate the transition toward electing the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
From the Vatican’s tolling bells to the Eiffel Tower going dark and candlelit vigils in Nairobi, cities on every continent paused this week to mourn Pope Francis, turning plazas, cathedrals and national monuments into a single, global memorial.
Ukraine and Russia have signaled a renewed willingness to pursue peace, as Kyiv prepares for high-level talks in London and Moscow voices support for diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict.
Early voting has begun in Australia ahead of the May 3 federal election, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor Party maintaining a narrow lead over the conservative opposition coalition led by Peter Dutton.
Cardinals are set to convene on Tuesday to begin preparations for Pope Francis' funeral, following his sudden death on Monday, and to initiate the transition toward electing the next leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
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