Opposition gains majority in Romania's Senate after senator joins Liberal party

The opposition coalition in Romania the Social Liberal Union (USL) gained the majority in the Senate after a member of the ruling Democratic Liberal Party (PDL) joined the opposition National Liberal Party. Mihaela Popa joined PNL, raising the number of opposition senators to 67, while the ruling parties have 65. However, Senate meetings need at least 68 senators for a quorum and to adopt basic laws.

Two other PDL members resigned from their party last week. There are also two senators who don't belong to any political party – Mircea Geoana who was expelled from the Social Democrat Party (PSD) and Cezar Magureanu, who used to be in the National Union for Romania's Progress (UNPR). Romania's opposition union USL is made up of the PNL and PSD. editor@romania-insider.com