2021 political year in review: A troubled year for Romania, with unexpected power shifts and months of uncertainty

The second pandemic year, 2021, was marked by political tensions and unexpected power changes. Romania started the year with a center-right ruling coalition forged after the parliamentary elections in December 2020 but ended it with a "left-right" coalition, leaving the voters somewhat confused. All while the country still battled the COVID-19 pandemic and economic concerns. This is the 2021 political year in review.

As Romania started 2021 with a fresh government and a center-right ruling coalition with solid parliamentary support, many expected things to run relatively smoothly this year. But things didn't go as planned, and the many internal scandals and disagreements finally broke the ruling alliance, leaving the country without an official government for weeks. Now, at the end of 2021, Romania is governed by a rather unexpected "left-right" coalition made of the Social Democrats (PSD), Liberals (PNL) and ethnic Hungarians (UDMR). Somehow, the rivals have become allies, leaving voters disoriented and putting the future in doubt. (Opening photo: Social Democrat leader Marcel Ciolacu and Liberal leader Florin Citu)