One of Ruling Romanian Parties to Quit Government Over New National Program

Last week, Prime Minister Florin Citu dismissed a USR-Plus cabinet minister who was opposed to $12 billion National Program for Local Development investment project.

Ex-Justice Minister Stelian Ion had criticized the project as untimely, saying that the funding will likely end up enriching "local barons" rather than being invested in the development of Romanian cities and villages.

"Tomorrow morning, our ministers’ resignation papers will be on the premier’s table … This is a tough decision," Barna said on Monday.

Following Ion's removal, the USR-Plus asked the coalition to appoint a new prime minister, who will "treat all ministers with equal respect," but since the request was not responded, the submission of a vote of no confidence was seen as the only option.

The Citu government was formed in December 2020 as a result of coalition between USR-Plus, the National Liberal Party and the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania.