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.
An Afghan national linked to an Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the 20...
Rivers around the world experienced one of their driest years in decades in 2025, according to the World Meteorological Organization, which&n...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the war against Iran was nearing its end and that Tehran wanted to reach a deal, but Iran di...
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was carrying out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
An Afghan national linked to an Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in connection with the 2021 Kabul airport suicide bombing that happened during a chaotic scene as the Taliban retook the country.
Russian air strikes injured 13 and damaged buildings in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and in the Black Sea port city of Odesa in the early hours of Thursday, officials said on the Telegram messaging app.
The European Parliament on Wednesday adopted an amendment condemning the mass migrant flows into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta in late July, and demanded a thorough, independent investigation to clarify who is responsible for the incident.
Rivers around the world experienced one of their driest years in decades in 2025, according to the World Meteorological Organization, which warned that declining water reserves could threaten future supplies.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday she wanted to open the door to Canada becoming the European Union's first “associate member” in a push to forge new links among allies in “an openly hostile world”.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment